Research on the extraction of flavonoids from the fruits of pyracantha fortuneana and their whitening activity

Method of ultrasonic circulation extraction was used for the extraction of flavonoids from pyracantha fortuneana fruits. The optimal technological conditions were determined by orthogonal experiments and D101 macroporous resin was used to purify flavonoids. And the inhibition rate of flavonoids from pyracantha fortuneana fruits on potato tyrosinase was also measured. Besides,the whitening cream with flavonoids from pyracantha fortuneana fruits was prepared whose activities were evaluated by human body tests. The results showed that the optimum extraction conditions were as follows: ethanol as solvent with volume fraction of 70%; ratio of pyracantha fortuneana fruits material tosolvent( g: m L),1: 15; extraction temperature 60 ° C; ultrasonic circulation extraction time,30 min. The activity of the potato tyrosinase was inhibited by the flavonoids from pyracantha fortuneana fruits. The concentration of flavonoids from pyracantha fortuneana fruits leading to 50% inhibition( IC50) was 10. 36 mg. m L-1. It was about twofold more than that of arbutin. Whitening cream with flavonoids from pyracantha fortuneana fruits had certain whitening capacity. It could reduce melanin content and increase brightness in the human skin significantly thus to whiten the skin. All results indicated that flavonoids from pyracantha fortuneana fruits had certain whitening effect,which indicated that it could be used as a cosmetic additive for skin whitening.