This technology features a skin whitening composition containing an active ingredient derived from the butanol fraction of a methanol extract of Grateloupia elliptica, a type of seaweed. This fraction can be utilized in cosmetic products, pharmaceutical compositions for pigmentation disorders, and food products, and the manufacturing method is also included.
Ascorbic acid, used as a whitening agent, has weak tyrosinase inhibitory activity and low molecular stability. Kojic acid causes discoloration, loses efficacy over time, and irritates the skin when used in cosmetics. Hydroquinone is restricted due to irritation and safety concerns, and even its derivative, arbutin, has shown trace amounts of hydroquinone in some processes, creating a need for safe, natural alternatives.
This technology inhibits melanin synthesis by suppressing the activity of tyrosinase, a key enzyme in melanin production, and targets pigmentation disorders such as melasma, freckles, age spots, solar lentigo, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. After extraction and fractionation, it can be concentrated under reduced pressure to create raw materials for creams, essences, sunscreens, and various foods like beverages, snacks, and dairy products. It offers a new marine-based source for whitening agents, replacing terrestrial plants or synthetic alternatives in functional cosmetics, topical treatments, and inner-beauty products.
This invention was developed with support from the Ministry of Education for the development of blue carbon biomass-based source materials and the establishment of a marine resource recycling platform.
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