Term Name:	melanin catabolic process
Synonyms:	melanin breakdown, melanin catabolism, melanin degradation
Definition:	The chemical reactions and pathways resulting in the breakdown of melanins, pigments largely of animal origin. High molecular weight polymers of indole quinone, they are irregular polymeric structures and are divided into three groups: allomelanins in the plant kingdom and eumelanins and phaeomelanins in the animal kingdom.
Ontology:	GO: Biological Process [GO:0046150]    QuickGO    AmiGO