The functional property of egg yolk phosvitin as a melanogenesis inhibitor

► Phosvitin inhibited tyrosinase activity and melanin synthesis in B16F10 cells. ► Phosvitin suppressed the expression of tyrosinase, TRP-1, TRP-2 and MITF. ► Phosvitin reduced the cellular cAMP concentration in B16F10 cells. ► Phosvitin has the potential to be used as a melanogenesis inhibitor.