Assessment of Skin Irritation Caused by S-(-)-10,11-Dihydroxyfarnesoic Acid Methyl Ester, a Metabolite of Beauveria bassiana CS1029

To determine whether S-(-)-10,11-dihydroxyfarnesic acid methyl ester (DHFAME) produced by Beauveria bassiana CS1029 potentially causes acute skin irritation as a cosmetic ingredient, a skin toxicity test was conducted as recommended for compliance with Korea Food and Drug Administration regulations. New Zealand White rabbits were treated with 100 mg/dose of DHFAME according to standard guidelines. No significant skin lesions or inflammation was observed in the DHFAME-treated group. Furthermore, DHFAME did not appear to cause skin irritation, as assessed by clinical observation of the rabbits. Thus, when taken together, the present results suggest that DHFAME is a promising potential cosmetic ingredient that does not irritate the skin.