Mevalonolactone is a substance obtained by the dehydration of mevalonic acid and turns back into mevalonic acid in water. It is an important substance that is widely distributed in nature and is converted in the human body into substances necessary for vital activity, which are called steroid and isoprenoid of every kind such as Vitamin K, CoQ10 (ubiquinone), cholesterol, and squalane.

Although the substance is generally found in the bodies of animals, plants, and microorganisms, it has not been incorporated into products because of its minute amounts. We have succeeded in mass producing mevalonic acid by cultivating microorganisms and have started to commercialize it as "Mevalonolactone" for the first time in the world.

Its anti-aging effect on the skin has also been found in addition to its moisturizing effect, and it is widely commercialized and used for cosmetics.

Mevalonolactone
Property		Light yellow to light brown, transparent, viscid liquid with a slight characteristic odor
Molecular Formula and Molecular Weight
Methods of Production		1) Culture: Aerobic submerged culture of yeast (Saccharomycopsis fibuligera) 2) Extraction: Extraction from culture filtrate using organic solvents 3) Distillation: Purification of extract through distillation
Chemical Purity		97% or more
Optical Purity		99% or more

Structural Diagram

Mevalonolactone was found to be a growth factor of Lactobacillus fructivorans or bacteria causing the rancidification of refined sake at the University of Tokyo in 1956(see Note 1), and as an acetic acid-replacing factor in the vinasse of wine at Merck & Co., Inc. (Note 2) at around the same time.

(Note 1)	Kinichiro Sakaguchi, Collected Papers on Brewing (Japan Brewers' Association), 12, 111 (1956)
(Note 2)	C. H. Hoffman, D.E. Wolf and K. Folkers, J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 78, 5273-5 (1956)

	Melting Point	28°C
	Viscosity	170 cps (25°C)
	Specific Gravity	1.18 (25°C)
	pH	2.7 (10% aqueous solution)
	Solubility	Water (∞), Ethanol (∞)
	Ignition Point	110°C
	Stability	within three months (at room temperature)

	Cosmetic material (moistening agent, skin-revitalizing ingredient)
	Material for isoprenoid biosynthesis
	Food additive (put on the list of existing additives)
	Growth promoter for specific lactic acid bacteria

	Bio Industry 18(4)69~71(2001)
	Bio Industry 17(8)53~61(2000)
	J.Invest.Dermatol. 114, 247~252(2000)
	Fragrance Journal 28(2)62~65(2000)
	The Society for Investigative Dermatology,60th Annual Meeting(May5~9,1999)

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