Effect of Chitosan Oligosaccharide on Tyrosinase Activity

Tyrosinase (monophenol. 3.4-${\beta}$-dihydroxyphenylalanin oxygen oxidoreductase. EC 1.14.18.1 J. which plays a pivotal role in melanogenesis. It is single chain glycoprotein catalyzing the hydroxylation of tyrosine to ${\beta$\mid$$-3.4-dihydroxyphenylalanin (DOPA) and the oxidation of DOPA to DOPA quinone. To investigate whitening effect of chitosan oligosaccharide. we obtained chitosan oligosaccharide ［(glucosamine)2-6］ by NaNO2 oxidation and measured the effect of chitosan oligosaccharide on tyrosinase activity. Chitosan oligosaccharide dose-dependently inhibited tyrosinase (2 unit) activity and inhibited by 18.8% at dose of 100${\mu}$g/ml. Vitamin C. arbutin and kojic acid that are well known to be inhibitor of melanin production dose-dependently inhibited tyrosinase (2unit) activity. These results suggest that chitosan oligosaccharide may be used as inhibitor of melanin production in melanocyte. which will be further studied.