Kojic acid

Last updated
Kojic acid
KojicAcid.svg
Names
Preferred IUPAC name
5-Hydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)-4H-pyran-4-one
Other names
Kojic acid, 5-Hydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)-4-pyrone, 2-hydroxymethyl-5-hydroxy-γ-pyrone
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
120895
ChEBI
ChEMBL
ChemSpider
DrugBank
ECHA InfoCard 100.007.203 OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
EC Number
  • 207-922-4
3620
KEGG
PubChem CID
RTECS number
  • UQ0875000
UNII
  • InChI=1S/C6H6O4/c7-2-4-1-5(8)6(9)3-10-4/h1,3,7,9H,2H2 Yes check.svgY
    Key: BEJNERDRQOWKJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N Yes check.svgY
  • InChI=1/C6H6O4/c7-2-4-1-5(8)6(9)3-10-4/h1,3,7,9H,2H2
  • O=C1/C=C(\O/C=C1/O)CO
Properties
C6H6O4
Molar mass 142.110 g·mol−1
Appearancewhite
Melting point 152 to 155 °C (306 to 311 °F; 425 to 428 K)
Slight
Acidity (pKa)9.40 [1]
Hazards
GHS labelling:
GHS-pictogram-silhouette.svg
Warning
H351
P201, P280, P308+P313
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
X mark.svgN  verify  (what is  Yes check.svgYX mark.svgN ?)

Kojic acid is an organic compound with the formula HOCH2C5H2O2OH. It is a derivative of 4-pyrone that functions in nature as a chelation agent produced by several species of fungi, especially Aspergillus oryzae , which has the Japanese common name koji. [2] [3] [4] Kojic acid is a by-product in the fermentation process of malting rice, for use in the manufacturing of sake, the Japanese rice wine. [2] It 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. [5] It forms a bright red complex with ferric ions. [6]

Contents

Biosynthesis

13C-Labeling studies have revealed at least two pathways to kojic acid. In the usual route, dehydratase enzymes convert glucose to kojic acid. Pentoses are also viable precursors in which case dihydroxyacetone is invoked as an intermediate. [2]

Applications

Kojic acid may be used on cut fruits to prevent oxidative browning, in seafood to preserve pink and red colors, and in cosmetics to lighten skin. As an example of the latter, it is used to treat skin diseases like melasma. [7] Kojic acid also has antibacterial and antifungal properties.[ citation needed ]

Chemical reactions

Structure of the coordination complex Fe(kojate)3. Color code: red = O, gray = C, dark blue = Fe, white = H. LAJREV.jpg
Structure of the coordination complex Fe(kojate)3. Color code: red = O, gray = C, dark blue = Fe, white = H.

Deprotonation of the ring-OH group converts kojic acid to kojate. Kojate chelates to iron(III), forming a red complex Fe(HOCH2C5OH2O2)3. This kind of reaction may be the basis of the biological function of kojic acid, that is, to solubilize ferric iron. [8]

Being a multifunctional molecule, kojic acid has diverse organic chemistry. The hydroxymethyl group gives the chloromethyl derivative upon treatment with thionyl chloride. [9]

Safety

Kojic acid may be weakly carcinogenic, according to some animal studies. It is not believed to reach carcinogenic thresholds in human skin, and is demonstrably safe at the level used in cosmetics. [10]

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pyridine</span> Heterocyclic aromatic organic compound

Pyridine is a basic heterocyclic organic compound with the chemical formula C5H5N. It is structurally related to benzene, with one methine group (=CH−) replaced by a nitrogen atom (=N−). It is a highly flammable, weakly alkaline, water-miscible liquid with a distinctive, unpleasant fish-like smell. Pyridine is colorless, but older or impure samples can appear yellow, due to the formation of extended, unsaturated polymeric chains, which show significant electrical conductivity. The pyridine ring occurs in many important compounds, including agrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, and vitamins. Historically, pyridine was produced from coal tar. As of 2016, it is synthesized on the scale of about 20,000 tons per year worldwide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Porphyrin</span> Heterocyclic organic compound with four modified pyrrole subunits

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Hyperpigmentation is the darkening of an area of skin or nails caused by increased melanin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Melasma</span> Medical condition

Melasma is a tan or dark skin discoloration. Melasma is thought to be caused by sun exposure, genetic predisposition, hormone changes, and skin irritation. Although it can affect anyone, it is particularly common in women, especially pregnant women and those who are taking oral or patch contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy medications.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">1,10-Phenanthroline</span> Heterocyclic organic compound

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Triacetic acid lactone</span> Chemical compound

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References

  1. Bjerrum, J., et al. Stability Constants, Chemical Society, London, 1958.
  2. 1 2 3 Bentley, R. (2006). "From miso, sake and shoyu to cosmetics: a century of science for kojic acid". Nat. Prod. Rep. 23 (6): 1046–1062. doi:10.1039/b603758p. PMID   17119644.
  3. Yabuta T (1924). "The constitution of kojic acid, a γ-pyrone derivative formed by Aspergillus oryzae from carbohydrates". Journal of the Chemical Society . 125: 575–587. doi:10.1039/ct9242500575.
  4. Parvez, Shoukat; Kang, Moonkyu; Chung, Hwan-Suck; Cho, Chongwoon; Hong, Moo-Chang; Shin, Min-Kyu; Bae, Hyunsu (2006). "Survey and mechanism of skin depigmenting and lightening agents". Phytotherapy Research. 20 (11): 921–34. doi:10.1002/ptr.1954. PMID   16841367. S2CID   22156361.
  5. "Kojic acid and enzymatic browning]". Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. 2000. Archived from the original on 2008-03-04.
  6. Nurchi, Valeria M.; Lachowicz, Joanna I.; Crisponi, Guido; Murgia, Sergio; Arca, Massimiliano; Pintus, Anna; Gans, Peter; Niclos-Gutierrez, Juan; Domínguez-Martín, Alicia; Castineiras, Alfonso; Remelli, Maurizio (2011-05-27). "Kojic acid derivatives as powerful chelators for iron(III) and aluminium(III)". Dalton Transactions. 40 (22): 5984–5998. doi:10.1039/C1DT00005E. ISSN   1477-9234. PMID   21552634.
  7. Melasma Archived 2009-12-23 at the Wayback Machine , American Academy of Dermatology
  8. Zaremba, K.; Lasocha, W.; Adamski, A.; Stanek, J.; Pattek-Janczyk, A. (2007). "Crystal Structure and Magnetic Properties of Tris(2-hydroxymethyl-4-oxo-4H-pyran- 5-olato-κ2O5,O4)iron(III)". Journal of Coordination Chemistry. 60 (14): 1537–1546. doi:10.1080/00958970601084243. S2CID   97627687.
  9. Agyemang, Nana; Murelli, Ryan P. (2019). "Synthesis of 5-Hydroxy-4-methoxy-2-methylpyrylium Trifluoromethanesulfonate from Kojic Acid". Organic Syntheses. 96: 494–510. doi: 10.15227/orgsyn.096.0494 . S2CID   238194561.
  10. "Final Report of the Safety Assessment of Kojic Acid". ResearchGate . December 2010.