# Optimization of Enzymatic Extraction Process for Peony lactiflora Seed and Its Application in Skin Care

## TL;DR

This study optimizes the extraction of bioactive compounds from peony seeds and shows their potential for skin care due to antioxidant and skin-whitening properties.

## Contribution

The paper introduces an optimized enzymatic extraction method for peony seeds and demonstrates their skin care benefits for the first time.

## Key findings

- The maximum DPPH radical scavenging rate was 86.94% under optimized extraction conditions.
- The extract inhibited tyrosinase by 61.4% and hyaluronidase by 77.7% in vitro.
- The enzymatic method produced extracts with antioxidant, whitening, and soothing effects.

## Abstract

The peony, as a botanical marvel, boasts a wealth of polysaccharides, total flavonoids, paeoniflorin, and other bioactive chemical constituents across all its parts. While past research has primarily concentrated on the flowers and roots of this plant, there has been a relative paucity of investigation into the seeds of Paeoniflora. This paper aimed to bridge this gap by providing a foundational study on the Paeoniflora seeds, offering valuable insights for future research endeavors in this area.

(a) Optimization of peony seed extraction process; and (b) exploring the skin beautifying effects of
Paeonia lactiflora
seed extracts.

One‐way optimization and response surface optimization techniques were used for enzymatic extraction of peony seed extract using DPPH free radical scavenging rate as an evaluation index. Tyrosinase activity inhibition and hyaluronidase inhibition were determined in vitro under optimal extraction conditions.

The results showed that the maximum DPPH radical scavenging rate of 86.94% ± 1.02% was obtained experimentally under the simulated optimal conditions of 60°C, 0.010 (g/g) solid–liquid ratio, 3.9% (g/g) addition of complex enzyme, 0.39 (g/g) cellulose ratio, and 2.7 h enzymatic hydrolysis time. Meanwhile, the inhibition rate of tyrosinase activity and hyaluronidase inhibition rate were determined under the optimal extraction conditions. The results showed that the inhibition rate of tyrosinase was 61.4% and that of hyaluronidase was 77.7% in the concentration range of 0.5%–2.5%.

The complex enzymatic method is an effective method for the production of peony seed extract with significant antioxidant properties, whitening activity, and soothing effect.