The Application of Bovine Submaxillary Gland Mucin (BSM) to Skin Care Cosmetics

Bovine Submaxillary Gland Mucin (BSM) refers to Glycoprotein secreted by the bovine submaxillary gland. BSM, which is composed of many oligosaccharide chaine combined with the protein frame, features a high content of Sialic acid. It is reported that in vivo BSM covers food and the digested residues to function as lubricant as well as to prevent a mucous membrane from being mechanically damaged by food, etc., when they are moving in the digestive organs.We noticed this unique chemical structure of BSM to evaluate its applica-bility as cosmetic in terms of moisture maintainability, affinity to skin texture, etc.Prepared BSM contained 24% of sialic acid and 30% of protein, while the molecular weight was 1-6×104 according to the method of SDS gel electrophoresis. BSM presented a high moisture absorbency hardly subject to the atmospheric humidity, with the absorbent effect ranging between those of sodium hyaluronate and collagen. BSM exhibited an excellent adhesion to strutum corneum, thus suggesting its possible effect on skin protection. Moreover, BSM felt free from stickiness, refreshing and light on the skin, providing no make-up feeling.