Whitening compositions containing ascomycete derived enzyme

Abstract

The present invention relates to topical whitening compositions comprising a whitening effective amount of an Ascomycete-derived melanin-degrading enzyme extract and methods of preparing the composition. The compositions provide a whitening effect which occurs by degrading melanin in the skin, yet the compositions themselves do not turn dark in color. The enzyme extract can be derived from Saccharomyces cerevisiae , and is added to the compositions of the present invention. The compositions containing the enzyme extract are twice as effective as kojic acid in producing a whitening effect on the skin.

What we claim is:  
     
         1 . A topical cosmetic or pharmaceutical composition for application to the skin comprising a whitening effective amount of an Ascomycete-derived melanin-degrading enzyme extract and a cosmetic or pharmaceutical carrier.  
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the enzyme extract is derived from the genus of Saccharomyces.  
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 2  wherein said Ascomycete-derived enzyme extract is the species  Saccharomyces cerevisiae.    
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 2  wherein said enzyme is a purified extract solution.  
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 2  wherein said enzyme extract is present in an amount of about 0.05 to 5.00 percent by weight.  
     
     
         6 . A topical cosmetic or pharmaceutical composition for application to the skin comprising a whitening effective amount of a  Saccharomyces cerevisiae  enzyme extract.  
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 6  further comprising a sunscreen.  
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 6  wherein said enzyme is present in an amount of from about 0.05 to 5.00 percent by weight.  
     
     
         9 . A method of whitening the skin comprising topically applying a composition comprising an Ascomycete derived melanin-degrading enzyme extract to the skin.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the Ascomycete is derived from the order of the group Saccharomyces.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the Ascomycete is the species  Saccharomyces cerevisiae.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the enzyme extract is present in an amount of about 0.05 to about 5.00 percent by weight of the composition.  
     
     
         13 . A method of degrading melanin in the skin which comprises applying to the skin the composition of  claim 6 .  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the composition is present in an amount of about 0.05 to about 5.00 percent by weight of the composition.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the Ascomycete-based enzyme extract is  Saccharomyces cerevisiae.    
     
     
         16 . A method of inhibiting a UV-B induced tan comprising topically applying a composition comprising a whitening effective amount of an Ascomycete melanin-degrading enzyme extract derived from the genus Saccharomyces.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the whitening effective amount is about 0.05 to about 5.00 percent by weight of the composition and the enzyme extract is derived from the species  Saccharomyces cerevisiae.