Extraction process of tenebrio molitor extract and phamaceurical composition for hair loss improvement containinig the extract as an active ingredient

Abstract

The present invention relates to an extraction process for mealworm extract, comprising the steps of: preparing a mixture by adding and mixing 1 w / v% to 4 w / v% of mealworm and sucrose in a solvent; and inoculating the mixture with lactic acid bacteria and fermenting it at 20°C to 35°C and pH 5 to 8. In addition, the present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition for improving hair loss comprising a mealworm extract prepared by the above extraction process as an active ingredient.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an extraction process for mealworm extract and a pharmaceutical composition for improving hair loss comprising said extract. More specifically, it relates to an extraction process for mealworm extract and a pharmaceutical composition for improving hair loss comprising said extract as an active ingredient, which has a higher content of active ingredients compared to existing mealworm extracts and more effectively induces the proliferation of hair follicle cells, thereby enhancing the potential for use as a hair loss treatment or preventive agent. Background Technology

[0003] Hair loss is a common condition affecting both men and women worldwide. However, the exact cause of hair loss has not yet been clearly identified, and recently, the number of people suffering from hair loss is increasing, with the affected age group becoming younger. Regarding known causes, theories have been discussed such as the action of male hormones on organs like hair roots and sebaceous glands, reduced blood flow to hair follicles, scalp abnormalities caused by bacterial proliferation or excessive sebum secretion, genetic factors, and aging. Among these, the most frequently discussed cause is the theory of male hormone action, in which the male hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) binds to androgen receptors, stimulating sebum production and attacking cells within the hair follicles, thereby accelerating hair loss.

[0004] There are no treatment methods for hair loss that have a distinct effect yet. Although the *Donguibogam* introduces several oral prescriptions related to hair loss, such as Sin-eung-yang-jindan, methods of massaging the affected area with sesame oil, applying specific herbal prescriptions soaked in alcohol, and stimulating specific acupoints, it is known that there are significant individual differences in effectiveness, and no new drug material that can be generally applied has been reported yet.

[0005] In addition, since hair is composed of keratin protein and the health of hair follicle cells can affect hair loss, there is active discussion regarding the possibility that protein shampoos or therapies containing large amounts of amino acids as active ingredients could be used as hair loss alleviators, but there is no standardized treatment among them yet.

[0006] Meanwhile, the brown mealworm (*Tenebrio molitor*) is a species of insect belonging to the family Tenebrionidae of the order Coleoptera. Its larvae are commonly called mealworms and are used as pet food and as edible insects. Brown mealworms are known to have a high protein content, and their active ingredients are known to possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-hair loss properties.

[0007] Attempts to improve skin conditions such as hair loss using edible insects have continued, and Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2021-0076247 discloses a composition for wrinkle improvement, wound healing, hair loss treatment, or hair growth promotion containing a protein hydrolysate of the larva of the white-spotted flower beetle (Protaetia brevitarsis) as an active ingredient, but it only discloses a method of extracting low molecular weight peptides, which are active ingredients, by simply hydrolyzing the extract using a protein hydrolyzing enzyme, and does not disclose any cases using lactic acid bacteria.

[0008] Conventional technology refers to technical information that the inventor possessed for the derivation of the present invention or acquired during the process of deriving the present invention, and it cannot necessarily be considered publicly known technology disclosed to the general public prior to the filing of the present invention. Prior art literature

[0010] Republic of Korea Published Patent No. 10-2021-0076247 (Published September 28, 2021) The problem to be solved

[0011] In resolving the aforementioned problems, the objective of the present invention is to provide an extraction process for a mealworm extract that increases the content of the active ingredient in the mealworm extract, and a pharmaceutical composition for improving hair loss comprising the extract as an active ingredient.

[0012] Furthermore, the objective of the present invention is to provide an extraction process for a mealworm extract that enhances the hair loss improvement effect, that is, the hair loss treatment or hair loss prevention effect, and a pharmaceutical composition for improving hair loss comprising said extract as an active ingredient.

[0013] In addition, the objective of the present invention is to provide an extraction process for a mealworm extract and a pharmaceutical composition for treating hair loss containing the extract as an active ingredient, which enhances the potential for various uses related to improving hair loss, such as pharmaceuticals, quasi-pharmaceuticals, health functional foods, and cosmetics, as the mealworm extract is manufactured as a natural extract, is harmless to the human body due to its lack of toxicity, and has excellent efficacy in proliferating hair follicle cells.

[0014] The problems that the present invention aims to solve are not limited to those mentioned above, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by a person skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs from the description below. means of solving the problem

[0016] An extraction process for a mealworm extract according to one embodiment of the present invention provides an extraction process for producing a mealworm extract by fermenting mealworms with lactic acid bacteria to extract active ingredients.

[0017] In one embodiment, the extraction process of the mealworm extract comprises the steps of: preparing a mixture by adding and mixing 1 w / v% to 4 w / v% of mealworm and sucrose in a solvent; and inoculating the mixture with lactic acid bacteria and fermenting it at 20°C to 35°C and pH 5 to 8.

[0018] The above mealworm may be powdered as a freeze-dried product.

[0019] The above lactic acid bacteria may be, but is not limited to, Bacillus subtilis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Streptococcus thernophilus, Bifidobacterium longum, or Bifidobacterium bifidom. Preferably, the above lactic acid bacteria may be Bacillus subtilis.

[0020] In the above fermentation step, a solvent may be used to promote fermentation, and the solvent may preferably be water, but is not limited thereto. When fermenting in water, mealworms may be used in an amount of 5 w / v% to 20 w / v%, 5 w / v% to 15 w / v%, 8 w / v% to 12 w / v%, or 10 w / v%.

[0022] In the above fermentation step, additives may be added to promote fermentation and increase the protein content of the fermented product.

[0023] The above additives may be citric acid, choline chloride, adonitol, glucose, glycerol, xylitol, or a combination thereof, but are not limited thereto.

[0024] In one embodiment, the additive may be a combination of citric acid and glucose. In this case, the citric acid and glucose may be in a weight ratio of 1:0.8 to 1:1.2 or 1:1, and the content of each of citric acid and glucose may be 1 w / v% to 5 w / v%, 2 w / v% to 4 w / v%, 2.5 w / v% to 3.5 w / v%, or 3 w / v%.

[0025] In one embodiment, the additive may further include choline chloride and glycerol in combination with citric acid and glucose. In this case, the choline chloride and glycerol may be in a weight ratio of 1:0.8 to 1:1.2 or 1:1, and the content of each may be 1 w / v% to 5 w / v%, 2 w / v% to 4 w / v%, 2.5 w / v% to 3.5 w / v%, or 3 w / v%.

[0026] The above lactic acid bacteria may be added in an amount of 1 w / w% to 3 w / w%, 1.5 w / w% to 2.5 w / w%, 1.8 w / w% to 2.2 w / w%, or 2.0 w / w% based on the weight of the mealworm.

[0027] The above sucrose may be 1 w / v% to 4 w / v%, 1.5 w / v% to 3.5 w / v%, 2.0 w / v% to 3.5 w / v%, 2.5 w / v% to 3.5 w / v%, 2.8 w / v% to 3.2 w / v%, or 3 w / v%.

[0028] The temperature during fermentation above may be 20°C to 35°C, 25°C to 35°C, 28°C to 32°C, or 30°C.

[0029] The pH during the above fermentation may be pH 5 to pH 8, pH 6 to pH 8, pH 6.5 to pH 7.5, or pH 7.0.

[0030] In the above fermentation step, the period may be 7 days or more, 7 to 10 days, 7 to 9 days, or 8 days.

[0031] The mealworm extract prepared according to the above extraction process is characterized by having a molecular weight that is easily absorbed into the skin and delivered to hair follicle cells, as the particle size is reduced by the fermentation step. Specifically, the average molecular weight of the mealworm extract according to an embodiment of the present invention may be 50 kDa to 100 kDa, 60 kDa to 90 kDa, 65 kDa to 80 kDa, or 65 kDa to 75 kDa.

[0033] The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition for improving hair loss comprising, as an active ingredient, a mealworm extract prepared by an extraction process according to one embodiment of the present invention described above.

[0034] The term "improvement" above includes the concepts of "treatment" or "prevention." Specifically, the term "treatment" refers to any act in which the symptoms of a disease improve through the administration of a composition containing the mealworm extract. The term "prevention" refers to any act in which the disease is suppressed or delayed through the administration of a composition containing the mealworm extract.

[0035] For administration, the composition of the present invention may include, in addition to the active ingredient described above, a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, excipient, or diluent. Examples of the carrier, excipient, and diluent include lactose, dextrose, sucrose, sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, erythritol, maltitol, starch, acacia gum, alginate, gelatin, calcium phosphate, calcium silicate, cellulose, methyl cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, water, methylhydroxybenzoate, propylhydroxybenzoate, talc, magnesium stearate, and mineral oil.

[0036] The compositions of the present invention may be formulated and used in the form of oral formulations such as powders, granules, tablets, capsules, suspensions, emulsions, syrups, and aerosols, as well as external preparations, suppositories, or sterile injectable solutions, according to conventional methods. Specifically, when formulating, they may be prepared using diluents or excipients such as fillers, weighting agents, binders, wetting agents, disintegrants, and surfactants that are commonly used. Solid formulations for oral administration include, but are not limited to, tablets, pills, powders, granules, and capsules. Such solid formulations may be prepared by mixing at least one excipient, for example, starch, calcium carbonate, sucrose, lactose, gelatin, etc., with the above-mentioned mealworm extract. In addition, lubricants such as magnesium stearate and talc may also be used in addition to simple excipients. In addition to liquids and liquid paraffins for oral administration, various excipients, such as humectants, sweeteners, flavorings, and preservatives, may be added. Preparations for parenteral administration include sterile aqueous solutions, non-aqueous solvents, suspensions, emulsions, lyophilized preparations, and the subject. Propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, vegetable oils such as olive oil, and injectable esters such as ethyl oleate may be used as non-aqueous solvents and suspensions. Witepsol, macrosol, Tween 61, cacao gelatin, laurin gelatin, glycerogelatin, etc. may be used as bases for suppositories.

[0037] The composition of the present invention may be administered orally or parenterally (e.g., intravenously, subcutaneously, intraperitoneally, or locally) depending on the desired method, and the dosage may be appropriately selected by a person skilled in the art, although it depends on the patient's condition and body weight, the degree of disease, the form of the drug, the route of administration, and the time.

[0038] The composition of the present invention can be used as a health functional food, quasi-drug, or cosmetic for preventing or alleviating hair loss because the brown mealworm extract included as an active ingredient is a natural extract and harmless to the human body.

[0039] The above-mentioned health functional food may contain various nutritional supplements, vitamins, minerals (electrolytes), flavoring agents such as synthetic and natural flavoring agents, coloring agents and thickening agents (cheese, chocolate, etc.), pectic acid and its salts, alginic acid and its salts, organic acids, protective colloidal thickeners, pH adjusters, stabilizers, preservatives, glycerin, alcohol, carbonating agents used in carbonated beverages, etc. In addition, it may contain fruit pulp for the production of natural fruit juices and fruit and vegetable beverages. These ingredients may be used independently or in combination. Furthermore, the health functional food may be in the form of any one of meat, sausage, bread, chocolate, candy, snacks, confectionery, pizza, ramen, chewing gum, ice cream, soup, beverages, tea, functional water, drinks, alcohol, and vitamin complexes.

[0040] In addition, the above-mentioned health functional food may additionally contain food additives, and unless otherwise stipulated, suitability as a 'food additive' shall be determined in accordance with the specifications and standards for the relevant item, based on the general provisions and general test methods of the Food Additives Codex approved by the Food and Drug Safety Administration.

[0041] Examples of items listed in the above 'Food Additives Codex' include chemically synthesized products such as ketones, glycine, potassium citrate, nicotinic acid, and cinnamon acid; natural additives such as persimmon dye, licorice extract, crystalline cellulose, kohlrabi dye, and guar gum; and mixed preparations such as L-sodium glutamate preparations, alkaline noodle additives, preservative preparations, and tar dye preparations.

[0042] The above-mentioned quasi-drug may be manufactured in a formulation that can be applied to the skin, such as a liquid, cream, paste, or solid form. If the formulation is in the liquid form, a solvent, a solubilizing agent, or an emulsifying agent may be used as a carrier component, such as water, ethanol, isopropanol, ethyl carbonate, ethyl acetate, benzyl alcohol, benzyl benzoate, propylene glycol, 1,3-butyl glycol oil, glycerol aliphatic ester, polyethylene glycol, or fatty acid ester of sorbitan. If the formulation is in the paste, cream, or gel form, animal oil, vegetable oil, wax, paraffin, starch, tracanth, cellulose derivative, polyethylene glycol, silicone, bentonite, silica, talc, or zinc oxide may be used as a carrier component. If the formulation is in the powder or spray form, lactose, talc, silica, aluminum hydroxide, calcium silicate, or polyamide powder may be used as a carrier component. In particular, in the case of a spray formulation, it may additionally include a propellant such as chlorofluorohydrocarbon, propane / butane, or dimethyl ether.

[0043] When the composition of the present invention is used as an external agent, it may include ingredients commonly used as external agents that can be applied to the skin. For example, one or more additives selected from the group consisting of water, surfactants, moisturizers, lower alcohols, chelating agents, disinfectants, antioxidants, preservatives, pigments, and fragrances may be additionally included.

[0044] When the composition of the present invention is used as a cosmetic, it may be provided as a product for hair or scalp. The hair or scalp product may be any one selected from the group consisting of hair growth agents, scalp clinic agents, scalp scaling agents, scalp massage agents, scalp care agents, cleansers, shampoos, tonics, hair conditioners, hair lotions, gels, packs, creams, essences, powders, sprays, oils, soaps, ointments, hair styling agents, hair dyes, and perming agents, but is not limited thereto. Effects of the invention

[0046] As described above, the extraction process of the mealworm extract according to the present invention and the pharmaceutical composition for improving hair loss containing the extract as an active ingredient increase the content of the active ingredient of the mealworm extract.

[0047] In addition, the extraction process of the mealworm extract according to the present invention and the pharmaceutical composition for improving hair loss containing the extract as an active ingredient enhance the hair loss improvement effect, that is, the hair loss treatment or hair loss prevention effect.

[0048] In addition, the extraction process of the mealworm extract according to the present invention and the pharmaceutical composition for improving hair loss containing the extract as an active ingredient enhance the potential for diverse applications in pharmaceuticals, quasi-pharmaceuticals, health functional foods, and cosmetics related to hair loss improvement, as the mealworm extract is prepared as a natural extract, is harmless to the human body due to its lack of toxicity, and has excellent efficacy in proliferating hair follicle cells.

[0049] The effects of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned effects will be clearly understood by a person skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains from the description below. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0051] Figure 1 is a graph showing the results of comparing the DPPH radical scavenging activity of Bacillus subtilis strains according to the sugar concentration added during fermentation and the fermentation date. Figure 2 is a graph showing the results of comparing the degree of DPPH radical scavenging activity according to the composition of the additives used in the preparation of the extract. Figure 3 is a graph showing the results of comparing the degree of induction of hair papilla cell proliferation by mealworm extract according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 is a diagram showing the measured molecular weight of a mealworm extract according to an embodiment of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0052] In the present invention, the attached drawings may be illustrated with exaggerated expressions to distinguish it from the prior art, ensure clarity, and facilitate the understanding of the technology. Furthermore, the terms described below are defined considering their functions in the present invention; since these terms may vary depending on the intentions or conventions of the user or operator, their definitions should be based on the technical content throughout this specification. Meanwhile, the embodiments are merely exemplary details of the components presented in the claims of the present invention and do not limit the scope of the rights of the present invention; the scope of rights should be interpreted based on the technical concept throughout the specification of the present invention.

[0053] Throughout the specification, when a configuration is described as "including" a configuration, this means that, unless specifically stated otherwise, it does not exclude other configurations but may include additional configurations.

[0054] In order to more clearly explain the features of the embodiments of the present invention, detailed descriptions of matters widely known to those skilled in the art to which the following embodiments belong will be omitted.

[0055] The present invention will be described in detail below.

[0057] [Example 1] Comparison of Activation Levels According to Fermentation Period and Sugar Addition Conditions

[0058] The extraction process of the mealworm extract comprises the steps of: preparing a mixture by adding and mixing mealworms and sucrose at a concentration of 1 w / v% to 4 w / v% in a solvent; and inoculating the mixture with lactic acid bacteria and fermenting it at a temperature of 20°C to 35°C and a pH of 5 to 8. The mealworms may be powdered as a freeze-dried product. Preferably, the lactic acid bacteria are Bacillus subtilis. In the fermentation step, a solvent may be used to promote fermentation, and the solvent is preferably water. When fermenting in water, the mealworms may be used at a concentration of 5 w / v% to 20 w / v%, 5 w / v% to 15 w / v%, 8 w / v% to 12 w / v%, or 10 w / v%. In the above fermentation step, the duration may be 7 days or more, 7 to 10 days, 7 to 9 days, or 8 days. In the lactic acid fermentation of mealworm extract, to compare the degree of activation according to the addition of sugar, sucrose was added at 0 w / v%, 3 w / v%, and 5 w / v% during the above manufacturing process and the fermentation period was increased, and the degree of radical scavenging activity was measured as an indicator of the degree of extraction of active ingredients.

[0059] Activity was measured by DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging assay, and the specific analytical method was established based on previously known methods (Hayes et al., 2002, Food. Chem. Toxicol., 40(4), 535). 10 w / w% of the extract was mixed with 0.2 mM DPPH in distilled water and reacted in a dark room for 15 minutes, after which the absorbance was measured at 517 nm using a microplate reader (Epoch, BioTek). DPPH radical scavenging activity was expressed as a percentage of free radical scavenging activity by comparing the sample-added group with the non-added group, and ascorbic acid (Sigma) was used as a positive control.

[0060] As a result, the highest activity was observed when fermented at 3 w / v% sucrose, and it was confirmed that the limit of the release of active ingredients and fermentation levels was reached on the 8th day of culture (Fig. 1).

[0062] [Example 2] Comparison of protein extraction amount according to additive conditions during extract preparation 1

[0063] In order to determine whether the protein content could change depending on the conditions of the additive, the sucrose concentration in the manufacturing process described in Example 1 above was set to 3 w / v%, and brown mealworm extracts were prepared and fermented with different additives used, and then the protein content was measured.

[0064] The conditions for the additives are as shown in Table 1 below.

[0066] furtherance additive control group No additives A Citric Acid 3 w / v% + Adonitol 3 w / v% B Choline chloride 3 w / v% + Glycerol 3 w / v% C Citric Acid 3 w / v% + D-(+)Glucose 3 w / v% D Choline Chloride 7.5 w / v% + Xylitol 3 w / v% E Choline Chloride 3 w / v% + D-(+)Glucose 3 w / v%

[0068] Protein content was measured using the Lowry Method. Specifically, a first reagent was prepared by dissolving 0.8g of sodium hydroxide in 100ml of distilled water and adding 4g of sodium carbonate, and a second reagent was prepared by mixing a solution of 2g of copper sulfate dissolved in 100ml of distilled water and a solution of 4g of sodium tartrate dissolved in 100ml of distilled water in a 1:1 ratio. 1ml of the sample, 1ml of 10% TCA, and 1ml of a reagent mixed with the first and second reagents in a 50:1 ratio were placed in each tube. After heating in a boiling water bath for 15 minutes, the tubes were cooled to room temperature and centrifuged at 3,800 rpm for 20 minutes to remove the supernatant. Then, 2.5ml of distilled water and 0.5ml of phenol solution were added and left for 30 minutes. The absorbance of the blank, standard dilution, and the sample was measured at a wavelength of 750 nm using a spectrophotometer to determine the protein content.

[0070] division Amount of protein (µg) control group 1520.30 Composition A 3241.23 Composition B 4945.28 Composition C 8621.28 Composition D 4681.59 Composition E 1730.64

[0072] As a result, as can be seen in Table 2 above, the protein content was measured to be the highest in the extract prepared with composition C.

[0074] [Example 3] Comparison of protein extraction amount according to additive conditions during extract preparation 2

[0075] Based on the results of Example 2 above, the conditions of the additives were further diversified to confirm changes in protein content. In the manufacturing process described in Example 1 above, the sucrose concentration was set to 3 w / v%, and the additive conditions used were as shown in Table 3 below, with additional additive components added based on composition C, and the protein content was measured in the same way as in Example 2.

[0077] division additive Composition F (Composition A + Composition C)Citric Acid 3 w / v% + Adonitol 3 w / v% + Citric Acid 3 w / v% + D-(+)Glucose 3 w / v% Seong G (Composition B + Composition C)Choline chloride 3 w / v% + Glycerol 3 w / v% +Citric Acid 3 w / v% + D-(+)Glucose 3 w / v% Composition H (Composition C + Composition D)Citric Acid 3 w / v% + D-(+)Glucose 3 w / v% + Choline Chloride 7.5 w / v% + Xylitol 3 w / v% Composition I (Composition C + Composition E)Citric Acid 3 w / v% + D-(+)Glucose 3 w / v% + Choline Chloride 3 w / v% + D-(+)Glucose 3 w / v%

[0079] As a result, as can be seen in Table 4 above, the protein content was measured to be the highest in the extract prepared with composition G.

[0081] division Amount of protein (µg) Composition F 8953.4 Seong G 10275.84 Composition H 8429.13 Composition I 8312.20

[0083] [Test Example 1] Comparison of activity levels according to additive conditions during extract preparation

[0084] To determine whether protein content is correlated with activity, the activity of the extracts prepared in Examples 2 and 3 above was measured using DPPH radical scavenging assay. The test method was performed in the same manner as in Example 1.

[0085] As a result, consistent with the results of Examples 2 and 3, the extract prepared with the additive of composition C showed excellent activity, and it was confirmed that the extract prepared with the additive of composition G had the highest activity (Fig. 2).

[0087] [Test Example 2] Confirmation of hair follicle cell proliferation effect

[0088] The effect of proliferating hair follicle cells was confirmed using the extract prepared in the manner of the above example.

[0089] Cytotoxicity was verified only for samples prepared under the conditions of composition G; specifically, humam dermal papilla cells (HDPCs) were purchased from Innoprot (Spain), and 2×10⁶ 3After culturing cells / well in a 96-well cell culture plate (SPL Life Sciences) for 12 hours, the cells were treated with mealworm extract (0.1, 0.5, 1, 5, 10 ng / mL) and a vehicle (DW, control) and cultured for 24 hours. Subsequently, 10 µl of Ez-cytox cell viability assay reagent (WST-1 assay kit, DoGenBio, Seoul, Korea) was added to each well and cultured for 2 hours. Then, the cell viability was calculated by measuring the absorbance at 450 nm using a microplate reader (Sunrise™, Tecan, Switzerland).

[0090] To measure the proliferative effect of dermal papilla cells, 4×10 HDPCs were placed in a 24-well cell culture plate. 3 After dispensing and culturing for 24 hours, the extract obtained under composition G of Example 3 among the above extracts was treated at a concentration of 20 μM / ml and cultured for 72 hours, after which the number of cells was measured and the proliferation effect was calculated as the ratio to the number of cells in the control group without the extract.

[0091] As a result, as shown in Table 5 below, no cytotoxicity was confirmed, and as shown in Figure 3, the extract prepared under the conditions of composition G of Example 3 was observed to be able to induce the proliferation of dermal papilla cells by an average of 3 to 9%.

[0093]

[0095] [Test Example 3] Confirmation of molecular weight of mealworm extract

[0096] Based on the results of the above example, it was confirmed that the most excellent effect was obtained by extracting using the manufacturing process described in Example 1 and fermenting under conditions of 3% sucrose and composition G, and the molecular weight of the mealworm extract produced in this example was confirmed.

[0097] Molecular weight was measured using GPC (Gel Permeation Chromatograph), which is commonly used for molecular weight analysis of polymers. The analysis conditions are as shown in Table 6 below, and the molecular weight values ​​are shown in Table 7 and Figure 4.

[0099]

[0101] Mn Mw Mp Polydispersity % Area 16375 69127 64181 4.221 100.00

[0103] As a result, the average molecular weight of the mealworm extract prepared under the conditions of composition G was 69,127 Da, which is approximately 70 kDa, and it was confirmed to be at a level suitable for absorption into the skin.

[0105] As described above, the present invention has been explained with reference to embodiments, but this is merely illustrative, and it should be understood that various modifications and equivalent alternative embodiments are possible based on the ordinary knowledge of the field to which the technology belongs. Accordingly, the true technical scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the claims to be described below and should be determined based on the specific details of the invention described above. Industrial applicability

[0107] The present invention relates to an extraction process for mealworm extract and a pharmaceutical composition for improving hair loss containing the extract as an active ingredient, and can be utilized in industrial fields related to the extraction of cosmetic raw materials or pharmaceutical raw materials.

Claims

Claim 1 A process for extracting a mealworm extract comprising: a step of preparing a mixture by adding and mixing 1 w / v% to 4 w / v% of mealworms and sucrose in a solvent; and a step of inoculating the mixture with lactic acid bacteria and fermenting it at 20°C to 35°C and pH 5 to 8; wherein the fermentation step is configured to further add citric acid, glucose, choline chloride, and glycerol to the mixture, and the weight ratio of citric acid and glucose is 1:0.8 to 1:1.

2. Claim 2 delete Claim 3 delete Claim 4 delete Claim 5 Extraction process of mealworm extract according to claim 1, characterized in that the weight ratio of choline chloride and glycerol is 1:0.8 to 1:1.

2. Claim 6 The extraction process of a mealworm extract according to claim 1, wherein the lactic acid bacteria are one or more selected from the group consisting of Bacillus subtilis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Streptococcus thernophilus, Bifidobacterium longum, and Bifidobacterium bifidom. Claim 7 The extraction process of a mealworm extract according to claim 1, wherein the fermenting step is configured to ferment the mixture for 7 days or more. Claim 8 A pharmaceutical composition for improving hair loss comprising, as an active ingredient, a mealworm extract prepared by an extraction process according to claim 1 or any one of claims 5 to 7.

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