FUNGUS IN

COSMETICS

HAFSA NIAZ

INTRODUCTION TO FUNGI

MEMBER: Eukaryotic Group

KINGDOM: Fungi

Characteristic: Cell wall contain chitin

instead of cellulose

Characteristic of Fungi

Achlorophyllous

Heterotrophs:

Heterotrophs can further be divided into

the following categories:

Parasites.

Saprobes

Symbiosis

GENERALIZE LIFE CYCLE OF

FUNGUS

Uses of Fungi Decomposition - nutrient and carbon recycling.

Biosynthetic factories. Can be used to produce drugs, antibiotics, alcohol, acids, food (e.g., fermented products, mushrooms).

Model organisms for biochemical and genetic studies.

Fungi in cosmetics

MUSHROOM:

Fruiting bodies of some wild and cultivatable mushrooms contain medicinal compounds which are being used in traditional medicines and cosmetics.

There are numerous potential medicinal products from mushrooms that could be used in cosmeceuticals (products applied topically, such as creams, lotions, and ointments) or nutricosmetics.

Biotransformation

Some fungi are also used in

biotransformation and the

products such as lactic acid

and ceramides could

potentially be used in

cosmetics.

Medical

Several mushrooms are known

to have medicinal properties

especially in the production of

β-glucans but also in many

other areas

White button mushrooms

(Agaricus bisporus) have 12 times more

ergothioneine than wheat

germ and they are a

possible source of

ergothioneine to be

added to bread.

Ceramides are also used

in cosmetics as epidermal

hydrating agents but they

are expensive due to

scarcity.

Chitin-glucan

Chitin-glucan is a

copolymer found in the

cell wall of several fungi

including Aspergillus

niger.

It has good moisturizing

properties and can help

fight against some of the

signs of skin aging and

has potential for use in

skin moisturizing and

anti-aging formulations.

Superoxide dismutase

Superoxide dismutase is used in cosmetic

products to reduce free radical damage

to skin, for example to reduce fibrosis

following radiation for breast cancer and

it is produced by mushrooms

Lentinan is claimed to

stimulate the immune

system, strengthening its

ability to fight infection

and disease. Lactic

acid is an alpha

hydroxy acid used in

cosmetic preparations

in dermatology to

hydrate and smooth

dry, flaking skin.

Carotenoids

Carotenoids, which are organic

pigments found in some fungi ,

are split into two classes,

xanthophylls and carotenes.

Carotenoids are widely used in

cosmetics, especially in sun

lotions.

Lycopene a potent anti-oxidant

found in tomatoes, is also

produced by Blakeslea trispora

and has also been found in wild

mushrooms

The finding that mushroom extracts

contain tyrosinase activity inhibition will

contribute to a better understanding of

their „healing‟ properties in various

Chinese traditional herbal skin care

products

Various extracts from mushroom are also

thought to have skin whitening properties.

This concept is based on the “simplistic

thinking” that fungi can bleach wood and

degrade melanin