Astragalin (kaempferol-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, Ast) glucosides were synthesized by the acceptor reaction of a dextransucrase produced by Leuconostoc mesenteroides B-512FMCM with astragalin and sucrose. Each glucoside was purified and their structures were assigned as kaempferol-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 -> 3)-O-alpha-D-glucopyranoside (or kaempferol-3-O-beta-D-nigeroside, Ast-G1') and kaempferol-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 (1 -> 6)-O-alpha-D-glucopyranoside (or kaempferol-3-O-beta-D-isomaltoside, Ast-G1) for one glucose transferred, and kaempferol-3-O-beta-D-isomaltooligosacharide (Ast-IMO or Ast-Gn; n = 2-8). The astragalin glucosides exhibited 8.3-60.6% higher inhibitory effects on matrix metalloproteinase-1 expression, 18.8-20.3% increased antioxidant effects, and 3.8-18.8% increased inhibition activity of melanin synthesis compared to control (without the addition of compound), depending on the number of glucosyl residues linked to astragalin. These novel compounds could be used to further expand the industrial applications of astragalin glucosides, in particular in the cosmetics industry. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.