Inhibitory effects of mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) seed and sprout extracts on melanogenesis.

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.