Antioxidant and melanogenesis‐inhibitory activities of collagen peptide from jellyfish (Rhopilema esculentum)

Abstract

AbstractBACKGROUND: Jellyfish collagen was hydrolysed with trypsin and properase E, and jellyfish collagen peptide (JCP) was purified from the enzymatic hydrolysate using ion exchange chromatography and gel filtration. The antioxidant activity of JCP in a linoleic acid emulsion system, its superoxide anion‐ and hydroxyl radical‐scavenging activities and its copper‐chelating ability were evaluated in vitro. Initial investigations of JCP's ability to inhibit melanogenesis were carried out using cultured B16 melanoma cells.RESULTS: The molecular weight distribution of JCP was from 400 to 1200 Da. Amino acid analysis showed that JCP was rich in Gly, Pro, Ser, Ala, Glu and Asp and had a total hydrophobic amino acid content of 384.2 g kg−1. JCP showed high antioxidant activity (IC50147.8 µg mL−1), superoxide anion‐scavenging activity (IC5021.9 µg mL−1), hydroxyl radical‐scavenging activity (IC5016.7 µg mL−1) and copper‐chelating ability (IC5088.7 µg mL−1) in vitro. It also significantly inhibited intracellular tyrosinase activity, decreased melanin content and enhanced glutathione synthesis (P < 0.05). Furthermore, JCP decreased intracellular cAMP levels and suppressed tyrosinase mRNA expression.CONCLUSION: Based on the results of this study, JCP exerts anti‐melanogenic actions via its antioxidant properties and copper‐chelating ability. JCP could be used as a natural skin‐lightening agent in the medicine and food industries. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry