Activator including biosurfactant as active ingredient, mannosyl erythritol lipid, and production method thereof

Abstract

The present invention includes as an active ingredient at least one biosurfactant, in particular mannosyl alditol lipid (such as MEL and MML) or triacylated mannosyl alditol lipid. This allows providing an activator and anti-aging agent that is excellent in activating and anti-aging effects on cells and that is safe enough to be used for a long time, and also providing cosmetics, quasi-drugs, drugs, and drinks and foods including the activator and the anti-aging agent as active ingredients. Further, the present invention provides MEL whose mannosyl erythritol skeleton in a molecular structure is 1-O-β-D-mannopyranosyl-meso-erythritol and a method for producing the MEL with use of a microorganism.

1 . A method for activating a skin cell, comprising contacting a cell in a skin on a subject that is other than a scalp skin with a composition containing an effective amount of a mannosylerythritol lipid or a mannosylmannitol lipid. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the skin is on the face, lip, neck, body from the neck down, hands, arms, or legs of the subject. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is a skin lotion, an ointment, a cream, a facial wash, a skin cleansing agent, a foundation, a face powder, a ceruse, a lipstick, a blusher, an eyeshadow, an eyeliner, a perfume, or a bath agent. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mannosylerythritol lipid comprises a mannosylerythritol lipid-A, a mannosylerythritol lipid-B, a mannosylerythritol lipid-C, a mannosylerythritol lipid-D, or a triacylmannosylerythritol lipid. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mannosylmannitol lipid comprises a triacylmannosylmannitol lipid. 
     
     
         6 . A method of alleviating skin aging in a subject in need thereof, comprising applying a composition containing an effective amount of a mannosylerythritol lipid or a mannosylmannitol lipid to a skin on the subject that is other than a scalp skin. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the skin is on the face, lip, neck, body from the neck down, hands, arms, or legs of the subject. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein alleviating skin aging comprises alleviating a wrinkle or alleviating a sag of a skin. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the composition is a skin lotion, an ointment, a cream, a facial wash, a skin cleansing agent, a foundation, a face powder, a ceruse, a lipstick, a blusher, an eyeshadow, an eyeliner, a perfume, or a bath agent. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the mannosylerythritol lipid comprises a mannosylerythritol lipid-A, a mannosylerythritol lipid-B, a mannosylerythritol lipid-C, a mannosylerythritol lipid-D, or a triacylmannosylerythritol lipid. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the mannosylmannitol lipid comprises a triacylmannosylmannitol lipid.