Evaluation, Effect of Whitening Agents on Physico-Chemical and Functional Properties of Sardine Surimi (Sardina pilchardus)

The effects of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) and calcium carbonate (CaCO3) treatments on the colour and textural properties of sardine surimi (Sardina pilchardus) were studied. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was applied in order to investigate their effects and to determine the optimum whitening agents used. Addition of CaCO3 and H2O2 significantly improved whiteness of surimi in comparison to NaHCO3 treatments (p < 0.05). Some textural damage and a reduction in WHC values were observed for surimi treated withH2O2 and NaHCO3 (p < 0.05). PCA biplot showed that 1.5% CaCO3 tended to result in improved whiteness, WHC and textural properties since 1.5% CaCO3 sample sits closer to these functional properties vector lines than the other treatments. Whereas, 2.5% H2O2 had positively affected only the whiteness parameter. Results indicated that treating mince with the appropriate type and concentration of whitening agent can improve the functional properties of surimi, particularly from fish species with darker meat such as sardine. Aims: In order to improve whiteness and functional properties of sardine surimi (Sardina pilchardus), the effects of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) and calcium carbonate (CaCO3) treatments were studied. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was applied in order to investigate their effects and to determine the optimum whitening agents used. Study Design: Experimental Research Design Place and Duration of Study: Research Unit “Biopreservation and Valorisation of Agro-Food Products” of the Higher Graduate School of Food Industry of Tunisia. The study was conducted in 3 months. Methodology: Sardine surimi samples were prepared with different treatments at different concentrations: calcium carbonate (CaCO3), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3). Proximate composition, total pigment, whiteness, water holding capacity and textural properties were investigated. Optimal levels of each whitening agent were determined using PCA. Results: Addition of CaCO3 and H2O2 significantly improved whiteness of surimi in comparison to NaHCO3 treatments (p < 0.05). Some textural damage and a reduction in WHC values were observed for surimi treated withH2O2 and NaHCO3 (p < 0.05). PCA biplot showed that 1.5% CaCO3 tended to result in improved whiteness, WHC and textural properties since 1.5% CaCO3 sample sits closer to these functional properties vector lines than the other treatments. Whereas, 2.5% H2O2 had positively affected only the whiteness parameter. Conclusion: Results indicated that treating mince with the appropriate type and concentration of whitening agent can improve the functional properties of surimi, particularly from fish species with darker meat such as sardine.

The Inhibitory Effect of Curcumin Derivative J147 on Melanogenesis and Melanosome Transport by Facilitating ERK-Mediated MITF Degradation

The therapeutic use of curcumin and chemically modified curcumin (CMC) for suppressing melanogenesis and tyrosinase activity have been recognized. J147 is a modified version of curcumin with superior bioavailability and stability. However, there is no report about the effects of J147 on pigmentation in vitro and in vivo. In our studies, we investigated the hypopigmentary effects of J147 treatment on melanocytes and explored the underlying mechanism. The present studies suggested that J147 suppressed both basal and α-MSH-induced melanogenesis, as well as decreased melanocyte dendricity extension and melanosome transport. J147 played these roles mainly by activating the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) pathway. Once activated, it resulted in MITF degradation and further down-regulated the expression of tyrosinase, TRP-1, TRP-2, Myosin Va, Rab27a and Cdc42, ultimately inhibited melanin synthesis and melanosome transport. Furthermore, the hypopigmentary effects of J147 were demonstrated in vivo in a zebrafish model and UVB-induced hyperpigmentation model in brown guinea pigs. Our findings also suggested that J147 exhibited no cytotoxicity in vitro and in vivo. Taken together, these data confirmed that J147 may prove quite useful as a safer natural skin-whitening agent.

Laccase-Mediator System Using a Natural Mediator as a Whitening Agent for the Decolorization of Melanin

In this study, a laccase-mediator system (LMS) using a natural mediator was developed as a whitening agent for melanin decolorization. Seven natural mediators were used to replace synthetic mediators and successfully overcome the low redox potential of laccase and limited access of melanin to the active site of laccase. The melanin decolorization activity of laccases from Trametes versicolor (lacT) and Myceliophthora thermophila (lacM) was significantly enhanced using natural mediators including acetosyringone, syringaldehyde, and acetovanillone, which showed low cytotoxicity. The methoxy and ketone groups of natural mediators play an important role in melanin decolorization. The specificity constants of lacT and lacM for melanin decolorization were enhanced by 247 and 334, respectively, when acetosyringone was used as a mediator. LMS using lacM and acetosyringone could also decolorize the melanin present in the cellulose hydrogel film, which mimics the skin condition. Furthermore, LMS could decolorize not only synthetic eumelanin analogs prepared by the oxidation of tyrosine but also natural melanin produced by melanoma cells.

Pandangan Publik Terhadap Klaim Manfaat dan Keamanan Minuman Mengandung Kolagen dan L-glutathione Berdasarkan Iklan Produk

<p><strong>Currently, many food products are containing Collagen and L-Glutathione. Based on recent studies, oral collagen supplementation has many advantages as a skin whitening agent, moisturizing agent, skin elasticity enhancer. Collagen supplementation has proven safe for short-term use in adult healthy subjects; however, there is no safety data on other group subjects such as pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and children. Meanwhile, there are so many food products containing collagen and L-Glutathione that claim their products give many advantages without any clinical study. The producer massively advertises their products to sell them without any complete information about side effects and warnings. The purpose of this study is to examine respondent’s purchase intention and awareness of this product's safety. The result shows that the respondent is likely interested in the claim they see in the advertisement. However, it has the potential unsafe use for pregnant women, lactating mothers and children, and long-term use. So this paper recommends BPOM to alter any regulation of food containing collagen especially on labeling and advertising and consider the product to become a food supplement instead.</strong></p><p><strong><em>Keyword –</em> </strong><em>Breastfeeding, Collagen, Whitening<strong></strong></em></p>

Blue Covarine Toothpaste versus Office Whitening: Which is the Most Effective on Stained Teeth?

Alternative whitening strategies to hydrogen peroxide have been proposed, such as the inclusion of abrasive and/or pigmented particles in the toothpaste. This study compared the whitening effectiveness of a toothpaste containing Blue Covarine (BC) vs. an in-office whitening treatment using 35% hydrogen peroxide (HP) in teeth stained. Bovine incisors blocks (6.0x6.0x2.0 mm) were stained with green tea (GT), orange soda (OS), or red wine (RW). The samples were randomly assigned into 8 groups (n=15), according to the type of staining and whitening treatment: G1 – no staining, BC (Control); G2 – no staining, HP (Control); G3 – GT, BC; G4 – GT, HP; G5 – OS, BC; G6 – OS, HP; G7 – RW, BC; G8 – RW, HP. Color change (ΔE), luminosity (L*), green-red axis (a*), and blue-yellow axis (b*) were recorded with spectroscopy at T0 – baseline, T1 – immediately after toothbrushing or in-office tooth whitening, and T2 – after the conclusion of the treatments. The whiteness index for dentistry (WID) was calculated. Data were analyzed by two-way repeated measured mixed ANOVA and Bonferroni test (α=0.05). HP showed a better whitening performance (ΔE) (p ≤ 0.042). Otherwise, no effects of the whitening agent were observed (p = 1.000). Data from ΔL, Δa, and Δb showed statistically significant differences for experimental groups (p < 0.001). In the WID analysis, BC and HP had similar effects within control and RW groups. In conclusion, blue covarine toothpaste may be a viable option for extrinsically stained teeth. However, for severe staining, HP-based whitening agents proved to be the most effective treatment strategy.Keywords: Tooth Bleaching. Dentifrices. Color. ResumoEstratégias de clareamento alternativas ao peróxido de hidrogênio têm sido propostas, como a inclusão de partículas abrasivas e/ou pigmentadas nos cremes dentais. Este estudo comparou a eficácia clareadora de um creme dental contendo Blue Covarine (BC) com um tratamento de clareamento em consultório com peróxido de hidrogênio a 35% (HP) em dentes pigmentados. Blocos de incisivos bovinos (6,0x6,0x2,0 mm) foram pigmentados com chá verde (GT), refrigerante de laranja (OS) ou vinho tinto (RW). As amostras foram distribuídas aleatoriamente em 8 grupos (n = 15), de acordo com o tipo de pigmento e tratamento clareador: G1 - sem coloração, CB (Controle); G2 - sem coloração, HP (Controle); G3 - GT, BC; G4 - GT, HP; G5 - OS, BC; G6 - SO, HP; G7 - RW, BC; G8 - RW, HP. Mudança de cor (ΔE), luminosidade (L *), eixo verde-vermelho (a*) e eixo azul-amarelo (b*) foram registrados com espectroscopia em T0 - baseline, T1 - imediatamente após a escovação ou clareamento dental em consultório, e T2 - após a conclusão dos tratamentos. O índice de brancura para odontologia (WID) foi calculado. Os dados foram analisados por ANOVA mista de duas vidas para medidas repetidas e teste de Bonferroni (α = 0,05). HP apresentou melhor desempenho de clareamento (ΔE) (p ≤ 0,042). Os dados de ΔL, Δa e Δb mostraram diferenças estatisticamente significativas para os grupos experimentais (p <0,001). Na análise WID, BC e HP tiveram efeitos semelhantes nos grupos controle e RW. Em conclusão, o creme dental covarine azul pode ser uma opção viável para dentes com coloração extrínseca. No entanto, para manchas graves, os agentes de clareamento à base de HP provaram ser a estratégia de tratamento mais eficaz.Palavras-chave: Clareamento Dental. Dentifrícios. Cor.

Antioxidant and Anti-Melanogenic Activities of Heat-Treated Licorice (Wongam, Glycyrrhiza glabra × G. uralensis) Extract

Melanin is a brown or black pigment that protects skin from ultraviolet radiation and reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, overproduction of melanin is associated with lentigines, melasma, freckles and skin cancer. Licorice has shown antioxidant, anti-tumor, anti-platelet, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities and is used as a natural treatment for skin whitening. We aimed to confirm the potential of Wongam, a new cultivar of licorice developed by the Rural Development Administration (RDA), as a whitening agent in cosmetics. In addition, we verified the effect of heat treatment on the bioactivity of licorice by comparing antioxidant and anti-melanogenic activities of licorice extract before and after heating (130 °C). The heat-treated licorice extract (WH-130) showed higher radical-scavenging activities in the ABTS+ (2,2′-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazolin-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt) and DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) assays. In addition, WH-130 inhibited melanogenesis more effectively due to downregulation of tyrosinase in B16F10 melanoma cells than non-heated licorice extract. Moreover, heat treatment increased total phenolic content. In particular, isoliquiritigenin, an antioxidant and anti-melanogenic compound of licorice, was produced by heat treatment. In conclusion, WH-130, with increased levels of bioactive phenolics such as isoliquiritigenin, has potential for development into a novel skin whitening material with applications in cosmetics.

Effects of Carissa carandas Linn. Fruit, Pulp, Leaf, and Seed on Oxidation, Inflammation, Tyrosinase, Matrix Metalloproteinase, Elastase, and Hyaluronidase Inhibition

In this study, the potential of Carissa carandas Linn. as a natural anti-aging, antioxidant, and skin whitening agent was studied. Various parts of C. carandas, including fruit, leaf, seed, and pulp were sequentially extracted by maceration using n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and ethanol, respectively. High-performance liquid chromatography, Folin–Ciocalteu, and Dowd method were used to investigate their chemical compositions. The inhibitory activities of oxidation process, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), elastase, hyaluronidase, and tyrosinase were analyzed. Cytotoxicity was determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay in a human epidermal keratinocyte line (HaCaT). The results exhibited that ethyl acetate could extract the most ursolic acid from C. carandas, while ethanol could extract the most phenolics and flavonoids. The leaf extract had the highest content of ursolic acid, phenolics, and flavonoids. The leaf extracted with ethyl acetate (AL) had the highest ursolic acid content (411.8 mg/g extract) and inhibited MMP-1, NF-kappa B, and tyrosinase activity the most. Ursolic acid has been proposed as a key component in these biological activities. Although several C. carandas extracts are beneficial to human skin, AL has been proposed for use in cosmetics and cosmeceuticals due to its superior anti-wrinkle, anti-inflammation, and whitening properties.

Nicotinamide as a Skin Whitener: Evidence and Controversies

Background: Topical nicotinamide (NAM) can reduce excessive melanin deposition in cell culture, by reversibly blocking the transfer of melanosomes from melanocytes to the adjacent keratinocytes. Thus, it has been increasingly used as a whitening agent. Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of topical nicotinamide used for the treatment of melasma and hyperpigmentation. Methods: An electronic search for topical nicotinamide was carried out on Pubmed and Medline databases to identify studies that addressed this topic as a whitening agent. And to review the primary and secondary outcomes. Results: A significant decrease in hyperpigmentation and increased skin lightness was found with the use of topical nicotinamide, compared with the vehicle In two small sample size clinical studies. Combined regimens including nicotinamide and other ingredients offer more synergistic effects than monotherapy. Conclusion: Due to the lack of sufficient evidence, the use of nicotinamide for melasma remains controversial. Extended randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials with long-term follow-up periods are needed to assess the efficacy of nicotinamide as a whitening agent.