melanin metabolic process phenol-containing compound catabolic process pigment catabolic process melanin catabolic process melanin degradation biological_process GO:0046150 melanin breakdown melanin catabolism 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.