Antioxidant and Melanin-Reduction Effect of Mixed Extracts of Bixa orellana, Ammi majus, and Glycyrrhiza glabra

The desire of modern people to maintain a healthy and beautiful appearance is increasing day by day along with the increasing interest in skin health and the demand for functional cosmetics. Accordingly, research on functional cosmetic materials with few side effects and excellent efficacy is being actively conducted. Therefore, this study tried to verify the antioxidant and whitening effects of the mixed extracts of Bixa orellana, Ammi majus, and Glycyrrhiza glabra, whose efficacy has been individually verified. Extracts (BAG-1~4) with different extraction methods such as steaming, fermentation, and ultrasonication were prepared for 3 types of natural plants, and antioxidant and whitening effects of these extracts were confirmed. For this purpose, antioxidant, tyrosinase activity, melanin production and stability experiments were conducted. Extracts (BAG-1~4) had no cytotoxicity, and antioxidant and whitening effects were confirmed. BAG-4 extracted by steaming and fermentation showed the best efficacy. It seems that enzymes such as lipase, protease, and amylase increase phenol components by various yeasts involved in the fermentation process, thereby improving antioxidant and melanin production inhibitory effects. It was confirmed that the three types of natural plant extracts could be used as safe and functional cosmetic materials.