epidermal turnover and transmit them into the granular layer. Melanin therefore
does not accumulate in the epidermis as long as a healthy epidermal turnover is
sustained. In human skin, however, a form of pigmentation commonly known as
“black spots” occurs with age. This pigmentation happens as excess melanin produced by melanocytes in the epidermis’s basal layer remains within the epidermis
due to a variety of factors.
Since they inhibit melanin formation, the tyrosinase inhibitors that inhibit
tyrosinase activity are being applied in the field of whitening cosmetics. Recent
years have seen a marked tendency toward the isolation and use of natural ingredient for whitening cosmetics, and there has been a demand for natural materials as
sources for whitening agents.
Arbutin is an ingredient found in bearberries from the family Ericaceae, while
4-butylresorcinol is found in Siberian firs. Ellagic acid is a polyphenol found in
abundance in red raspberries from the family Rosaceae. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C)
Fig. 11.11 Pathway of melanin synthesis from tyrosine
Fig. 11.10 Chemical structure of the tyrosinase inhibitor CI-4
410
11 Marine Microorganism Resources and Biotechnology
does not accumulate in the epidermis as long as a healthy epidermal turnover is
sustained. In human skin, however, a form of pigmentation commonly known as
“black spots” occurs with age. This pigmentation happens as excess melanin produced by melanocytes in the epidermis’s basal layer remains within the epidermis
due to a variety of factors.
Since they inhibit melanin formation, the tyrosinase inhibitors that inhibit
tyrosinase activity are being applied in the field of whitening cosmetics. Recent
years have seen a marked tendency toward the isolation and use of natural ingredient for whitening cosmetics, and there has been a demand for natural materials as
sources for whitening agents.
Arbutin is an ingredient found in bearberries from the family Ericaceae, while
4-butylresorcinol is found in Siberian firs. Ellagic acid is a polyphenol found in
abundance in red raspberries from the family Rosaceae. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C)
Fig. 11.11 Pathway of melanin synthesis from tyrosine
Fig. 11.10 Chemical structure of the tyrosinase inhibitor CI-4
410
11 Marine Microorganism Resources and Biotechnology