en.Wedoany.com Reported - Harima Chemicals Group (ハリマ化成グループ) and Meijo University have announced that their joint research has revealed that the rare carotenoid "ζ-carotene" possesses three functions: ultraviolet absorption, antioxidant activity, and anti-glycation effects, making it a promising raw material for cosmetic development. The research team plans to advance safety and formulation suitability evaluations, aiming for practical application by fiscal year 2027.
This basic research targets the three major factors considered to cause skin aging: ultraviolet radiation, oxidation, and glycation. ζ-carotene is extremely scarce in nature and difficult to extract individually, with almost no prior evaluation of its functionality as a cosmetic ingredient. Harima Chemicals Group has established a stable production technology through bioprocessing and achieved separation and purification of this component using high-purity refining techniques. The study also found that the purified ζ-carotene primarily consists of the cis-isomer, which exhibits high absorbability and stability. Through in vitro evaluations, the team obtained baseline data compared with existing representative substances.
The research confirmed that ζ-carotene has three main functions: high absorption of UV-A rays, strong antioxidant activity, and excellent anti-glycation effects. In terms of ultraviolet absorption, this substance demonstrates superior absorption performance against UV-A, which causes wrinkles and sagging, compared to other carotenoids; its maximum ultraviolet absorption capacity is approximately 1.5 to over 2 times that of DHHB, a chemically synthesized UV-A absorber widely used in cosmetics. Regarding antioxidant activity, ζ-carotene excels in removing harmful reactive oxygen species generated by ultraviolet rays, with an antioxidant capacity over 10 times higher than that of the potent antioxidant gallic acid. In anti-glycation, this substance effectively inhibits glycation reactions that degrade proteins such as collagen, achieving a maximum effect approximately twice that of other carotenoids and about seven times that of existing anti-glycation ingredients.
Going forward, Harima Chemicals Group will strengthen collaboration with Meijo University, leveraging its unique carotenoid research platform to promote the development of multiple components, starting with ζ-carotene, and accelerate the material research and development process for the cosmetics sector.
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