MULTIFUNCTIONAL EXTRACTS OF SUGARCANE STRAW OR BAGASSE AND USES THEREOF

1 . A method of preparing an extract from sugarcane bagasse or sugarcane straw comprising:

obtaining a dried sugarcane bagasse or a dried sugarcane straw;

milling the dried bagasse or the dried straw;

mixing the milled bagasse or straw with a solution comprising a solvent to form a mixture;

stirring the mixture;

separating a liquid fraction and a solid fraction of the mixture;

concentrating the liquid fraction to obtain an extract; and

optionally drying the liquid fraction to obtain a dry extract.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the bagasse or the straw are dried at a temperature not less than 30° C.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the dried bagasse or the dried straw is milled to a size ranging from 2 mm to 4 mm.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of: acetone, dichloromethane, ethanol, methanol, and combinations thereof.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the solution comprising the solvent comprises ethanol.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the mixture is stirred for at least 24 hours.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the mixture is stirred at a temperature ranging from 20° C. to 22° C.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the liquid fraction and the solid fraction are separated by filtration.

9 . An extract obtained by the method of claim 1 .

10 . (canceled)

11 . (canceled)

12 . The extract of claim 9 , wherein the extract inhibits or reduces skin enzymes activity.

13 . The extract of claim 9 , comprising from about 2% (wt/wt) to 8% (wt/wt) cellobiose, from about 2% (wt/wt) to 10% glucose (wt/wt), not more than about 2% (wt/wt) xylose, not more than 1% (wt/wt) galactose, not more than 0.1% (wt/wt) arabinose, not more than 15% (wt/wt) fructose, and not more than 6% (wt/wt) mannitol.

14 . The extract of claim 9 , further comprising not more than 4% (wt/wt) malic acid, not more than 5% (wt/wt) succinic acid, and not more than 3% (wt/wt) formic acid.

15 . The extract of claim 9 , further comprising not more than 1% (wt/wt) chlorogenic acid, not more than 1% (wt/wt) trans-5-caffeoylquinic acid, not more than 10% (wt/wt) trans-3-feruloylquinic acid, not more than 1% (wt/wt) feruylquinic acid, not more than 1% (wt/wt) feruylglucaric acid, not more than 1% (wt/wt) p-coumaric acid, not more than 1% (wt/wt) rans-ferulic acid, not more than 1% (wt/wt) diosmetin-6-C-glucoside, not more than 1% (wt/wt) tricin-7-O-glucuronidesulfate, and not more than 1% (wt/wt) pinellic acid.

16 . The extract of claim 9 , further comprising not more than 2% (wt/wt) cellobiose, from about 1% (wt/wt) to 8% (wt/wt) glucose, not more than about 1% (wt/wt) xylose, not more than 2% (wt/wt) arabinose, not more than 12% (wt/wt) fructose, and not more than 6% (wt/wt) mannitol.

17 . The extract of claim 9 , further comprising about 5% (wt/wt) to 12% (wt/wt) malic acid, from about 3% (wt/wt) to about 20% (wt/wt) succinic acid, and not more than 10% (wt/wt) formic acid.

18 . The extract of claim 9 , further comprising not more than 1% (wt/wt) chlorogenic acid, not more than 1% (wt/wt) trans-5-caffeoylquinic acid, not more than 1% (wt/wt) trans-3-feruloylquinic acid, not more than 1% (wt/wt) feruylquinic acid, not more than 1% (wt/wt) feruylglucaric acid, not more than 1% (wt/wt) p-coumaric acid, not more than 1% (wt/wt) trans-ferulic acid, not more than 1% (wt/wt) diosmetin-6-C-glucoside, not more than 1% (wt/wt) tricin-7-O-glucuronidesulfate, and not more than 1% (wt/wt) pinellic acid.

19 . A pharmaceutical or cosmetic composition comprising an active amount of the extract of claim 9 .

20 . The composition of claim 19 , wherein the concentration of the extract is at least 1.25 mg/mL.

21 . The composition of claim 19 , wherein the composition is suitable for topical administration, and further comprises a penetration enhancer.

22 . The composition of claim 19 , further comprising an active agent.

23 . (canceled)

24 . (canceled)