Skip to Content
Merck
All Photos(1)

Key Documents

View All Documentation

K3125

Sigma-Aldrich

Kojic acid

≥98.5% (HPLC), powder, tyrosinase inhibitor

Synonym(s):

2-Hydroxymethyl-5-hydroxy-γ-pyrone, 5-Hydroxy-2-hydroxymethyl-4H-4-pyranone

Sign Into View Organizational & Contract Pricing
All Photos(1)

About This Item

Empirical Formula (Hill Notation):
C6H6O4
CAS Number:
501-30-4
Molecular Weight:
142.11
Beilstein:
120895
EC Number:
207-922-4
MDL number:
MFCD00006580
UNSPSC Code:
12352106
PubChem Substance ID:
24896226
NACRES:
NA.77

product name

Kojic acid,

Assay

≥98.5% (HPLC)

Quality Level

200

form

powder

mp

152-155 °C (lit.)

SMILES string

OCC1=CC(=O)C(O)=CO1

InChI

1S/C6H6O4/c7-2-4-1-5(8)6(9)3-10-4/h1,3,7,9H,2H2

InChI key

BEJNERDRQOWKJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N

Looking for similar products? Visit Product Comparison Guide

Application

Kojic acid has been used:
  • as an inhibitor of tyrosinase in guinea pigs pigmented hyperopic (PH)
  • as a reference inhibitor standard for screening tyrosinase inhibition
  • as a positive control for inhibition of tyrosinase in B16F10 melanoma cells

Biochem/physiol Actions

Kojic acid is derived from some fungal species such as, Aspergillus, Acetobacter and Penicillium.. It halts melanin synthesis by inhibiting tyrosinase enzyme. It is used in the preparation of skin whitening cosmetics. However, kojic acid usage is minimal in cosmetics, as it induces skin irritation by its unstability and cytotoxic nature during long storage. It is an antioxidant and elicits radioprotective effects on chelating with manganese and zinc.
Tyrosinase inhibitor.

Storage Class Code

11 - Combustible Solids

WGK

WGK 1

Flash Point(F)

Not applicable

Flash Point(C)

Not applicable

Personal Protective Equipment

dust mask type N95 (US), Eyeshields, Gloves

Certificates of Analysis (COA)

Search for Certificates of Analysis (COA) by entering the products Lot/Batch Number. Lot and Batch Numbers can be found on a product’s label following the words ‘Lot’ or ‘Batch’.

Already Own This Product?

Find documentation for the products that you have recently purchased in the Document Library.

Visit the Document Library

Effects of the Tyrosinase-Dependent Dopaminergic System on Refractive Error Development in Guinea Pigs
Jiang L, et al.
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 59(11), 4631-4638 (2018)
Ka-Heng Lee et al.
European journal of medicinal chemistry, 44(8), 3195-3200 (2009-04-11)
A series of 46 curcumin related diarylpentanoid analogues were synthesized and evaluated for their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-tyrosinase activities. Among these compounds 2, 13 and 33 exhibited potent NO inhibitory effect on IFN-gamma/LPS-activated RAW 264.7 cells as compared to L-NAME
Kojic acid and its manganese and zinc complexes as potential radioprotective agents
Emami S, et al.
Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 17(1), 45-48 (2007)
Xiao Hu et al.
Journal of natural products, 75(1), 82-87 (2011-12-15)
Two novel 2-arylbenzofuran dimers, morusyunnansins A and B (1 and 2), two new biflavonoids, morusyunnansins C and D (3 and 4), two new flavans, morusyunnansins E and F (5 and 6), and four known flavans (7-10) were isolated from the
Wei Yi et al.
European journal of medicinal chemistry, 46(9), 4330-4335 (2011-07-23)
Melanin play a major role in human skin protection and their biosynthesis is vital. Due to their color, they contribute to the skin pigmentation. Tyrosinase is a key enzyme involved in the first stage of melanin biosynthesis, it catalyzes the
View All Related Papers

Our team of scientists has experience in all areas of research including Life Science, Material Science, Chemical Synthesis, Chromatography, Analytical and many others.

Contact Technical Service