Abstract
Sargassum thunbergii has been traditionally used as an edible and medicinal material in oriental countries. However, the skin-whitening and anti-wrinkling effects of S. thunbergii have not yet been investigated. This study was conducted to establish optimal extraction conditions for the production of bioactive compounds with antioxidant activity as well as skin-whitening and anti-wrinkle effects using ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) in S. thunbergii. The extraction time (5.30~18.7 min), extraction temperature (22.4~79.6 °C), and ethanol concentration (0.0~99.5%), which are the main variables of the UAE, were optimized using a central composite design. Quadratic regression equations were derived based on experimental data and showed a high coefficient of determination (R2 > 0.85), demonstrating suitability for prediction. The optimal UAE condition for maximizing all dependent variables, including radical scavenging activity (RSA), tyrosinase inhibitory activity (TIA), and collagenase inhibitory activity (CIA), was identified as an extraction time of 12.0 min, an extraction temperature of 65.2 °C, and ethanol of 53.5%. Under these conditions, the RSA, TIA, and CIA of S. thunbergii extract were 86.5%, 88.3%, and 91.4%, respectively. We also confirmed S. thunbergii extract had inhibitory effects on the mRNA expression of tyrosinase-related protein-1, matrix metalloproteinase-1, and matrix metalloproteinase-9, which are the main genes of melanin synthesis and collagen hydrolysis. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was used to identify the main phenolic compounds in S. thunbergii extract, and caffeic acid was identified as a major peak, demonstrating that high value-added ingredients with skin-whitening and anti-wrinkling effects can be produced from S. thunbergii and used for developing cosmetic materials.
Highlights
Melanogenesis is a physiological process that leads to the synthesis of melanin pigments [1]
Fitting the model is crucial to interpret the accuracy of the response surface methodology (RSM) mathematical model for predicting the radical scavenging activity (RSA), tyrosinase inhibitory activity (TIA), and collagenase inhibitory activity (CIA) of S. thunbergii extract
This study proposed optimal conditions for the ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) process that can maximize antioxidant, skin-whitening, and anti-wrinkling effects for the production of value-added bioactive compounds from S. thunbergii, which are widespread in the subtropical coast of Southeast Asia, causing marine pollution and ecological disturbance
Summary
Melanogenesis is a physiological process that leads to the synthesis of melanin pigments [1]. Melanin is a black or brown pigment secreted from the melanocytes present in the basal layer of the epidermis and determines the skin, eyes, and hair color [2]. Excessive generation of melanin pigments can lead to hyperpigmentationrelated diseases, such as malignant melanomas [3]. Tyrosinase, the main enzyme in the melanin biosynthesis pathway, promotes the hydroxylation of L-tyrosine to L-DOPA (L-3,4dihydroxyphenylalanine), and promotes the oxidation of L-DOPA to dopachrome and dopaquinone, which synthesizes melanin through the auto-oxidation process by tyrosinaserelated proteins (TRP-1 and 2) through several stages [4–6]. Methods of inhibiting melanin formation by impeding tyrosinase-related proteins have been widely used in the cosmetics industry for the development of skin-whitening agents [7,8]. Producing a safer, more effective skin-whitening agent that is based on natural ingredients is considered imperative [10]
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