Functional evaluation of yuzu seeds as a cosmetic

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K02386
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 08030:Family and consumer sciences, and culture and living-related
• Research Institution: Notre Dame Seishin University
• Principal Investigator: Yoshikane Yu ノートルダム清心女子大学, 人間生活学部, 准教授 (10530131)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: ユズ種子

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Each yuzu fruit contains about 30 seeds, which account for about 20% of the weight of the fruit. Most of the fruit is used for processing, and effective utilization of the seeds has been desired. In this study, we evaluated the functionality of yuzu seeds for use in cosmetic products. Yuzu seed extract contains large amounts of flavonoids and inhibited melanin production in vitro, which causes dark spots and dullness. It also inhibited the degradation of extracellular matrix, which is involved in skin elasticity and firmness, and promoted its production. In particular, the seeds of unripe fruits (green yuzu) have a high content of functional ingredients and several functional properties and it, therefore, was expected to be a promising raw material for cosmetic products.

Free Research Field

食品学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

これまで産業廃棄物として経費をかけ廃棄されてきた一方、ユズ生産地では古くからユズ種子を焼酎に漬け、その抽出液を美容液として活用されてきた。また、アロマテラピー分野では、資材のほとんどは外国産であり、和製の資材への関心が高まりとともに、それらの基礎的研究が求められていた。本研究成果は、廃棄されるユズ種子が和製の香粧品およびアロマテラピー分野における有用性、機能性を見出し、今後の有望な資材や原料となりうることが期待される。