Laccase-Catalyzed Polymerized Natural Bioactives for Enhanced Mushroom Tyrosinase Inhibition

Costa, Diana; Rocha, Diana; Santos, Joana; Noro, Jennifer; Ribeiro, Artur; Silva, Carla

doi:10.3390/catal15050481

Open AccessFeature PaperEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Laccase-Catalyzed Polymerized Natural Bioactives for Enhanced Mushroom Tyrosinase Inhibition

by

Diana Costa

¹

,

Diana Rocha

¹

,

Joana Santos

¹

,

Jennifer Noro

²

,

Artur Ribeiro

^1,3

and

Carla Silva

^1,3,*

¹

Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal

²

I3Bs—Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics Research Group, Avepark—Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, Barco, 4805-017 Guimarães, Portugal

³

LABBELS—Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal

^*

Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Catalysts 2025, 15(5), 481; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal15050481

Submission received: 25 March 2025 / Revised: 9 May 2025 / Accepted: 10 May 2025 / Published: 14 May 2025

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Design of Protein-Based Catalysts)

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Abstract

Skin hyperpigmentation disorders, such as melasma, are linked to excessive melanin production, primarily regulated by the enzyme tyrosinase (TYR). While current inhibitors like kojic acid (KA) are effective, they often cause adverse side effects, driving the search for safer andnatural alternatives. This study evaluated the TYR inhibitory potential of bioactive-rich extracts from acorn, cocoa, cork, and eucalyptus, extracted using hydroethanolic (HE) and natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES), and explored the enhancement of their bioactivity through laccase-assisted polymerization. NADES significantly improved extraction yields and preserved bioactive compounds, with cocoa extracts showing the highest TYR inhibition. Laccase-mediated polymerization further enhanced TYR inhibitory activity, particularly of NADES extracts, suggesting a more effective and sustainable approach for skincare applications. The results highlight the potential of combining green chemistry principles with enzymatic catalysis to develop eco-friendly and efficient treatments for hyperpigmentation disorders, offering a promising alternative to conventional methods.

Keywords: skin pigmentation; natural bioactives; eutectic solvents; polymerization; laccase; cosmetic formulations

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MDPI and ACS Style

Costa, D.; Rocha, D.; Santos, J.; Noro, J.; Ribeiro, A.; Silva, C. Laccase-Catalyzed Polymerized Natural Bioactives for Enhanced Mushroom Tyrosinase Inhibition. Catalysts 2025, 15, 481. https://doi.org/10.3390/catal15050481

AMA Style

Costa D, Rocha D, Santos J, Noro J, Ribeiro A, Silva C. Laccase-Catalyzed Polymerized Natural Bioactives for Enhanced Mushroom Tyrosinase Inhibition. Catalysts. 2025; 15(5):481. https://doi.org/10.3390/catal15050481

Chicago/Turabian Style

Costa, Diana, Diana Rocha, Joana Santos, Jennifer Noro, Artur Ribeiro, and Carla Silva. 2025. "Laccase-Catalyzed Polymerized Natural Bioactives for Enhanced Mushroom Tyrosinase Inhibition" Catalysts 15, no. 5: 481. https://doi.org/10.3390/catal15050481

APA Style

Costa, D., Rocha, D., Santos, J., Noro, J., Ribeiro, A., & Silva, C. (2025). Laccase-Catalyzed Polymerized Natural Bioactives for Enhanced Mushroom Tyrosinase Inhibition. Catalysts, 15(5), 481. https://doi.org/10.3390/catal15050481

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

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Laccase-Catalyzed Polymerized Natural Bioactives for Enhanced Mushroom Tyrosinase Inhibition

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