Low molecular weight hyaluronic acid and/or salt thereof, method for producing same, and cosmetic preparation and food composition containing same

Abstract

A low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid and/or its salt is obtained by dispersing hyaluronic acid and/or its salt in an acidic water-containing medium.

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid or its salt having a molecular weight of 100,000 or less, having a L value indicating lightness of 90 or more, and a b value indicating hue of 5 or less. 
     
     
         14 . The low molecular weight hyaluronic acid or its salt according to  claim 13 , wherein a 1% aqueous solution of the low molecular-weight hyaluronic acid or its salt has a kinematic viscosity of 10 mm 2 /s or less. 
     
     
         15 . The low molecular weight hyaluronic acid or its salt according to  claim 13 , wherein the molecular weight is in the range of 20,000 or less. 
     
     
         16 . The low molecular weight hyaluronic acid or its salt according to  claim 13 , wherein the molecular weight is in the range of 10,000 or less. 
     
     
         17 . The low molecular weight hyaluronic acid or its salt according to  claim 13 , wherein the molecular weight is in the range of 20,000 to 100,000. 
     
     
         18 . The low molecular weight hyaluronic acid or its salt according to  claim 13 , wherein the molecular weight is in the range of 20,000 to 41,000. 
     
     
         19 . The low molecular weight hyaluronic acid or its salt according to  claim 13 , wherein the low molecular weight hyaluronic acid or its salt is powdery. 
     
     
         20 . The low molecular weight hyaluronic acid or its salt according to  claim 13 , wherein the low molecular weight hyaluronic acid or its salt is obtained by heating and drying. 
     
     
         21 . A method for producing low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid or its salt having a molecular weight of 100,000 or less, having a L value indicating lightness of 90 or more, and a b value indicating hue of 5 or less, comprising dispersing hyaluronic acid or its salt in an acidic water-containing medium. 
     
     
         22 . The method for producing the low molecular weight hyaluronic acid or its salt according to  claim 21 , wherein the acidic water-containing medium has a pH or 2 or less. 
     
     
         23 . The method for producing the low molecular weight hyaluronic acid or its salt according to  claim 21 , wherein the temperature of the acidic water-containing medium is 30 to 70° C. 
     
     
         24 . The method for producing the low molecular weight hyaluronic acid or its salt according to  claim 21 , wherein the water-containing medium contains at least one medium selected from the group consisting of ethanol, methanol, and acetone. 
     
     
         25 . The method for producing low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid or its salt according to  claim 21 , further comprising removing the water-containing medium, and heating and drying a residue obtained after removing the water-containing medium. 
     
     
         26 . The method for producing low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid or its salt according to  claim 21 , wherein the content of water with respect to the total amount of the water-containing medium is 40 vol % or less. 
     
     
         27 . A cosmetic comprising the low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid or its salt according to  claim 13 . 
     
     
         28 . A food composition comprising the low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid or its salt according to  claim 13 .