3823 Kojic acid Kojic acid is a synthetic intermediate for production of food additives. Kojic acid has been shown to exhibit anti-neoplastic function (A7859). 501-30-4 3840 C6H6O4 Tan powder. 161°C Oral, dermal, inhalation, and parenteral (contaminated drugs). (A3101) Kojic acid acts as a competitive and reversible inhibitor of animal and plant polyphenol oxidases (tyrosinases), xanthine oxidase, and D- and some L-amino acid oxidases. Inhibition of tyrosinases prevents melanosis, while inhibition of the oxidases prevents metabolism of certain amino acids. Kojic acid also reversibly affects thyroid function by inhibiting iodine uptake, leading to decreases in thyroid hormones T3 and T4 and increases in thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Increased TSH from pituitary gland in turn stimulates thyroid hyperplasia. (A3073, A3074) Kojic acid is absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract, enters the circulation, and is probably metabolized similar to hexoses. (A3073) 3, not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans. (L135) Kojic acid is a chelation agent and mycotoxin produced by several species of Aspergillus, Acetobacter, and Penicillium fungi, especially Aspergillus oryzae, which has the Japanese common name koji. Kojic acid is a by-product in the fermentation process of malting rice, and is used in the manufacturing of numerous foods, including miso, soy sauce, and sake. Kojic acid is a mild inhibitor of the formation of pigment in plant and animal tissues, and is used in food and cosmetics to preserve or change colors of substances, such as in skin-lightening or bleaching formulas. It is also used as a food additive for preventing enzymatic browning and in seafood to preserve pink and red colors. Kojic acid also has antibacterial and antifungal properties and is used in skin diseases like melasma. (L1968, A3073) Animals studies have shown that kojic acid increases the occurrence of thyroid cancer and thyroid adenomas, though it is not known whether this is also true in humans. (A3073) Sensitive individuals may develop contact dermatitis. (A3073) 2010-05-21T16:18:59Z 2026-04-02T22:50:28Z http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kojic_acid C14516 34805 DB01759 KOJ true OCC1=CC(=O)C(O)=CO1 C6H6O4 InChI=1S/C6H6O4/c7-2-4-1-5(8)6(9)3-10-4/h1,3,7,9H,2H2 BEJNERDRQOWKJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 142.1094 142.02660868 Exogenous Solid -0.64 HMDB32923 3708 CHEM002736 DTXSID2040236 NS00013805 5-hydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)-4H-pyran-4-one