Kojic acid is a fungal metabolite that inhibits tyrosinase, an enzyme involved in melanin synthesis, with an IC<sub>50</sub> value of 30.6 µM for mushroom tyrosinase. It decreases growth of <em>Leishmania</em> parasites <em>in vitro</em> and <em>in vivo</em>, and it protects mice from damage induced by gamma irradiation. Kojic acid has been used as a food additive to prevent enzymatic browning. Formulations containing kojic acid are used in the treatment of hyperpigmentation disorders.
| Catalog Number | R047524 |
| CAS Number | 501-30-4 |
| Synonyms | 5-Hydroxy-2-hydroxymethyl-4H-pyran-4-one; 5-Hydroxy-2-hydroxymethyl-4-pyrone; 5-Hydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)-4H-pyranone; 2-(Hydroxymethyl)-5-hydroxy-4H-pyran-4-one; NSC 1942; |
| Molecular Formula | C6H6O4 |
| Purity | 95% |
| Storage | -20°C |
| IUPAC Name | 5-hydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)pyran-4-one |
| InChI | InChI=1S/C6H6O4/c7-2-4-1-5(8)6(9)3-10-4/h1,3,7,9H,2H2 |
| InChIKey | BEJNERDRQOWKJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N |
| SMILES | C1=C(OC=C(C1=O)O)CO |
