Abstract
Inhibitory effect against melanogenesis and the in vitro tyrosinase inhibitory activity of ethyl acetate (EtOAc) and methylene chloride fractions of 80% methanol extracts of mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) seeds and sprouts were determined. EtOAc extract fractions from mung bean sprouts germinated for 12 h (33.5%), 1 day (56.5%), and 2 days (47.9%) inhibited melanogenesis more effectively than arbutin (16.3%). The in vitro tyrosinase inhibitory activity was higher in an EtOAc extract fraction from mung bean sprouts germinated for 2 days (70.5%). EtOAc extract fractions from mung bean sprouts germinated for 1 day showed excellent whitening effects due to the flavone vitexin. Extracts from mung bean sprouts germinated for 1 day can be used as a novel whitening cosmeceutical ingredient.