Six Amino Acids among Natural Moisturizing Factors Responsible for Skin Hydration: Improvement and Anti-Aging of Skin by Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate-PiteraTM Containing Skin Moisturizer

Background: Natural moisturizing factors (NMFs) are filaggrin-derived components in the cornified layer that are critical for maintaining healthy skin moisturization and barrier function. However, studies have reported conflicting findings on the relationship between NMF levels and aging, while few studies have investigated this relationship clinically. To fill this research gap, we determined the levels of major NMF components such as free amino acids, pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, and urocanic acids, and individually verified their relationships with skin hydration, barrier function, age, and skin aging. Purpose: The objective of this study was to clinically investigate the relationship between NMF components levels and skin aging in facial skin. The main NMF components were obtained from facial skin and quantified. We then selected NMF components showing strong relationships to skin hydration, and analyzed the relationships of the levels of these selected NMF components with signs of skin aging, namely, texture, pores, wrinkles, and dullness (L-value). We also examined the efficacy of treatment with a skin care formula (SK-II Facial Treatment Essence, called SK-II FTE hereafter) including Galactomyces ferment filtrate (GFF, PiteraTM) on the selected NMF component levels associated with skin hydration and barrier function, and the signs of skin aging of texture, pores, wrinkles, and dullness (L-value). Method: We conducted two clinical trials in this research. In Study 1, we measured 23 NMF components using tape-stripped cornified layer to quantify them via an HPLC method in 196 Asian females aged 20 to 59 (mean S.D., 38.6 9.4). Facial visual aging parameters [texture, pores, wrinkles, and dullness (L-value)], as well as elasticity (R7), skin hydration, and TEWL, were quantified using facial skin imaging and skin physical property measurement devices. Study 2 was performed to evaluate whether the facial application of SK-II FTE affects the NMF levels and skin aging parameters in 63 Asian female volunteers aged 20 to 55 (38.4 9.03). During the course of Study 2, 0.6 mL of SK-II FTE was applied to the face twice daily in the morning and afternoon. Skin measurements were performed at the start of the day (baseline) and at week 8. Results: In Study 1, we examined the stratum corneum levels of 23 NMF components comparing to the skin hydration status in 196 female subjects. The subjects were divided into two groups using the median of each measured NMF component. Skin hydration values were compared between the two groups defined for each NMF component. The results showed that subjects with higher levels of six amino acids, alanine, arginine, asparagine, glutamine, glycine, and histidine, exhibited significantly higher skin hydration than those with lower amino acid levels. No significant differences in skin hydration values were found for the other 17 NMF components. We then analyzed whether the sum of these six amino acid NMF components (called 6-AA-NMFs, hereafter) is affected by aging. The 6-AA-NMF level peaked in the subjects aged 25-29, and then gradually and significantly decreased with age. Interestingly, the 6-AA-NMF level was significantly correlated with the skin hydration value, but not with TEWL. In addition, the 6-AA-NMF level demonstrated significant correlations with the signs of skin aging of texture, pores, wrinkles, and dullness (L-value). Then, in Study 2, we examined whether the daily application of SK-II FTE affects the 6-AA-NMF level and visual aging parameters in 63 females. SK-II FTE demonstrated significant increases of the levels of 6-AA-NMFs and each of its components associated with hydration and barrier function, and improvements of skin texture, pores, wrinkles, and dullness (L-value) during the 8 weeks of treatment of facial skin. Conclusion: These clinical studies with large numbers of subjects across a wide age range revealed that six amino acids as NMF components were highly correlated with facial skin hydration in the stratum corneum. The levels of these six NMF components were also found to decrease at ages after the 30 s and were significantly correlated with major signs of skin aging. Notably, these six NMF components (6-AA-NMFs) were increased by SK-II FTE treatment associated with improvements of skin hydration and signs of skin aging, namely, texture, pores, wrinkles, and dullness (L-value). These studies were limited by the lack of investigation of why some NMF components were not associated with skin hydration. More clinical trials examining various NMF components and their relationship with aging are anticipated.

Quantification of In Vivo Epidermal Keratinocyte Architecture Associated with the Signs of Skin Aging and the Skin Benefit Evaluation by Application of Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate (Pitera)-Containing Skin Care Product

Background: Aged skin exhibits visual alterations such as wrinkles, rough texture, pore dilation, and dull skin tone, as well as physiological aging, namely, decreased hydration and increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Recent advances in coherence tomography have also revealed that skin aging affects in vivo epidermal keratinocyte architecture. However, the interconnectivity between spatial architectural aging and visual/physiological aging parameters remains largely unknown. Purpose: To elucidate whether the tomographic keratinocyte architectural aging is correlated with visual and physiological skin aging parameters and to quantitatively evaluate the improvements of the architectural, visual, and physiological aging parameters by the daily treatment of the skin care formula containing Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate (GFF, 8X PiteraTM). Method: We measured the in vivo keratinocyte cellular architecture with two-photon stereoscopic tomography obtaining by-layer epidermal section images in 78 Asian females of various ages. Visual aging parameters were analyzed using a portable image capture system. Hydration and TEWL were also assessed. The anti-aging effects of GFF-containing skin moisturizer (SK-II LXP CreamTM) were also examined in two studies after twice-daily application for 2 (N = 35) and 4 (N = 32) weeks. Results: As for the keratinocyte cellular architecture, skin aging was significantly associated with decreased cell density and increased cell uniformity. These architectural aging parameters were significantly correlated with visual and physiological aging parameters, namely, rough texture, wrinkles, pore dilation, dull skin tone, dehydration, and increased TEWL. The strong interconnectivity allowed us to develop formulae to estimate the keratinocyte architecture from visual aging parameters. Moreover, twice-daily application of SK-II significantly improved the keratinocyte architecture associated with multiple skin aging visual and physiological parameters. Conclusion: Skin aging is a process involving mutual interconnections among epidermal keratinocyte cellular architecture, visual, and physiological parameters. The GFF-containing moisturizer SK-II effectively improves spatial architecture of keratinocytes in epidermis and these evaluated skin aging parameters in a new trajectory over the course of treatment. .

Galactomyces reessii转化β-甲基丁酸生产β-羟基-β-甲基丁酸

Galactomycesreessii可将 β-甲基丁酸 ( MBA)转化为 β-羟基 - β-甲基丁酸 ( HMB)。摇瓶实验表明发酵过程中提供生长因子的酵母萃取物浓度以 3 g/L较适宜。高浓度钠、铵离子对菌体生长有抑制作用 ,为保证转化 MBA所需 p H可采用混合碱 ( Na OH、KOH、NH4 OH)来调节 ,以防止单一阳离子浓度过高对菌体生长和产物形成的抑制。MBA对菌体生长有明显的抑制作用 ,1 0 g/L的MBA可使菌体浓度减少 3 0 %。分批补料发酵中 ,连续流加葡萄糖和 MBA,控制发酵液中葡萄糖浓度不超过 3 g/L,MBA浓度不超过 4g/L ,1 0 2 h时 HMB浓度达 2 9.0 g/L ,转化率达 5 7.3 % ,HMB平均生产率达 0 .0 98g/( L· h)。

First report of a new potato disease caused by Galactomyces candidum F12 in China

Potato(Solanum tuberosum L.)is an important crop throughout the world.An uncharacterized disease has been observed on potato plants during the growing season and tubers during the storage period from Nileke County,Qitai County and other locations in Xinjiang,China.A particular fungus was consistently isolated from the infected potato plants and tubers.Based on its morphology,molecular characteristics,pathogenicity test and internal transcribed spacer(ITS)sequence,the pathogens was identified as Galactomyces candidum F12.Further study also showed that the hyphae and conidia of the pathogenic fungus grew faster as the temperature was 30℃,pH was 7,soluble starch was used as optimal carbon source and yeast powder as optimal nitrogen source.In addition,12-h continuous ilumination light was beneficial to the hyphal growth,while 24-h continuous ilumination was beneficial to the sporulation of the strain at 30℃.To our knowledge,this is the first report of Galactomyces candidum causing leaf wilt and postharvest tuber rot on potato in China.

Expanded Follicle-Sulcus-Crack Complex Is an Early Warning Sign of Facial Skin Aging: Improvement by Application of Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate-Containing Skin Product

Background: Wrinkles, pigmented spots, and roughness are representative parameters reflecting facial skin aging. Sulci cutis connecting to follicular orifices frequently form perifollicular cracks, which join together adjacent sulci. This follicle-sulcus-crack complex (FSCC) is exacerbated by dehydration. Purpose: Although dehydration is associated with facial skin aging, FSCC’s implications in facial skin aging remain unresolved. Method: We measured facial skin parameters in 1999 and 2010 in 108 Japanese women, and in 2006 and 2016 in 182 Chinese women. We addressed whether expansion of FSCC is associated with other skin aging parameters. We also examined whether skin moisturizer can reverse the expanded FSCC. Results: In both clinical studies, FSCC severity as well as wrinkles, spots, and roughness significantly deteriorated with age. Notably, FSCC significantly increased as early as in subjects in their 20s, whereas wrinkles, spots, and roughness became conspicuous in those in their 40s or older. Moreover, subjects with more severe FSCC in the initial measurement exhibited significantly worse wrinkles, spots, and roughness in the second measurement a decade later. Dehydration was significantly correlated with expanded FSCC. Furthermore, FSCC expansion was reversed after appropriate moisturization by daily application of Galactomyces ferment filtrate (GFF)-containing skincare product (SK-II Skin Power Cream) for 4 weeks in 37 women. Conclusion: The expanded FSCC is likely to be an early indicator of facial skin aging. Appropriate moisturization may reduce FSCC formation and decelerate facial skin aging.

Bacterial signal C10-HSL stimulates spore germination of Galactomyces geotrichum by transboundary interaction

The coevolution and coexistence of bacterial–fungal consortium have been widely reported in various natural ecosystems. The transboundary communication mediated by bacterial acyl–homoserine lactone signals probably is the driving force of fungal spore germination. This study aimed to report a functional bacterial signal molecule, C10-acyl homoserine lactone, which could be sensed by Galactomyces geotrichum. The spore germination rates of G. geotrichum increased by 22%. Meanwhile, carbohydrate production improved by 1.0-to 2.5-fold. G. geotrichum signaled to C10-HSL through receptor gene Rho1and made a response in cell wall assembly and carbohydrate biosynthesis by the upregulated expression(above 1-fold) of functional genes, such as Smi1, Utr2, and Chs2. It contributed to spore germination and morphology transformation together. This study provides a novel perspective for understating the transboundary cooperation between fungi and bacteria by cell-to-cell communication.

一株耐NMMO纤维素酶菌株的筛选及发酵优化

在常规筛选方法的基础上,利用在富集培养基中加入10 g/L NMMO,从土壤中筛选获得一株耐NMMO的高活性纤维素酶菌株Galactomyces sp.CCZU11-1。经研究,最适产酶培养条件为:碳源为甘蔗渣(5 g/L),氮源为(NH4)2SO4(5 g/L),表面活性剂为Tween-80(8 g/L),培养温度为30℃,初始培养pH值为5.5。在此条件下菌株培养7天后,FPA及CMCase分别为13.5 IU/mL和24.6 IU/mL。在培养体系和反应体系中分别加入200 g/L NMMO,Galactomyces sp.CCZU11-1纤维素酶仍具有良好的活性,表明其具有较高的耐NMMO性能及应用前景。