SKIN LIGHTENING EXTRACT FROM ZYGOSTELMA ROOT

摘要

The root extract of Zygostelma benthamii Baill. could be used as a component in skin lightening cosmetics. The extract contains various compounds exerting anti - tyrosinase activity with 2 - hydroxy - 4 - methoxybenzaldehyde as the major constituent. Fresh plant material should be used for the preparation of the extract due to the volatile property of the active constituent. Hydroalcoholic solvents could be used as the extraction solvent. A 20% lotion prepared from the crude extract could inhibit 67% of the tyrosinase activity. Quantitative analysis of 2 - hydroxy - 4 - methoxybenzaldehyde could be done by Gas Liquid Chromatography which revealed 0.02% in fresh root and 0.71% in the ethanolic extract.