2014 Volume 20 Issue 2 Pages 505-507
Cyanobacteria contain substances of high biological value and are used to meet the high demands of the global food and pharmaceutical industries. In this study, we prepared a hot water extract of the edible cyanobacterium, Nostochopsis, and evaluated its possible use as an ingredient in cosmetics. Specifically, a hot water extract of Nostochopsis was assayed for tyrosinase inhibitory activity. Tyrosinase, a key enzyme in skin melanin synthesis, was strongly inhibited by the Nostochopsis hot water extract, which reduced α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone-induced melanin synthesis in B16 mouse melanoma cells. Thus, Nostochopsis hot water extract may be suitable as an ingredient in cosmetics.