PURPOSE: To obtain a tyrosinase inhibitor containing an extract of tamarind husk as an active ingredient and preventing production of melanin dye.
CONSTITUTION: This tyrosinase inhibitor contains 0.005-10wt.%, preferably 0.01-1wt.% extract obtained by carrying out extraction treatment of hard seed part of a leguminous plant using water, a hydrophilic organic solvent (e.g. methanol) or their mixture as an active ingredient. Since the tyrosinase inhibitor uses a plant body utilized in production of food additives as a raw material, it has high safety and can provide a cosmetic having whitening action by blending with cosmetic and can be used for preventing sunburn of fishes and shellfishes by blending with feed for culturing fishes and shellfishes and can further be used for surface treatment for prevention of discoloration of foods which are liable to cause discoloration due to production of melanin dye.
ODA MAYUMI
IMOTO TOMOKO
