Abstract:

This study examines the bioactivity and skincare efficacy of amino acids and peptides derived from the solid-state fermentation of soybean meal, cottonseed meal, and rapeseed meal by Streptomyces sp. SCUT-3-3940, referred to as SAP, CAP, and RAP, respectively. In vitro and in vivo methods were employed to comprehensively compare their effects. The results indicate that all three samples exhibit notable stability and are non-irritating, with SAP demonstrating excellent absorption of amino acids and peptides in mouse skin. At a concentration of 480 µg/mL, all three amino acid and peptide samples significantly enhance the growth of HSF cells in serum-supplemented media, increasing the growth rate by 53.4%, 30.1%, and 30.9%, respectively. Furthermore, at the same concentration, the scratch wound healing of HSF cells is enhanced by 98.4%, 99.0%, and 54.7% after 24 hours compared to the control group. The samples also effectively reduce ROS production induced by UV damage, thereby providing protection against photoaging. Human trials reveal that at a concentration of 640 µg/mL, the stratum corneum moisture content （MMV） in the sample group significantly increases 2 hours post-application compared to the blank group （P<0.05）, with SAP enhancing MMV by 21.58%. Moreover, in a skin damage model induced by low-sensitivity tape, skin redness （a value） and transepidermal water loss （TEWL） in the sample group are significantly lower 3 hours post-essence application compared to the blank group, with SAP reducing redness by 21.46% and TEWL by 40.84%. These findings indicate that SAP, CAP, and RAP exhibit diverse bioactivities, including moisturizing, anti-photoaging, and skin barrier repair properties, offering new insights and theoretical frameworks for the high-value utilization of plant meal by-products.

Key words: meal type plant protein, solid state fermentation, amino acids and peptides, biological activity, skincare, skin barrier repair