| Melting Point | 152–155°C (lit.) |
| Color | White-Yellow |
| Formula Weight | 142.11 |
| Physical Form | Powder |
| Chemical Name or Material | Kojic Acid |
| Molecular Weight | 142.11 g/mol |
| SMILES String | OCC1=CC(=O)C(O)=CO1 |
| CAS Number | 501-30-4 |
| EC Number | 207-922-4 |
| Empirical Formula | C6H6O4 |
| NACRES | NA.77 |
| PubChem Substance ID | 24896226 |
| UNSPSC Code | 12352106 |
| MDL Number | MFCD00006580 |
| InChI | 1S/C6H6O4/c7-2-4-1-5(8)6(9)3-10-4/h1,3,7,9H,2H2 |
| InChI Key | BEJNERDRQOWKJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N |
| Beilstein/REAXYS Number | 120895 |
| Quality Level | 200 |
| Reference Assay | ≥98.5% (HPLC) |
| Applications | Skin-brightening/lightening active in cosmetic formulation (tyrosinase-inhibiting chelator) |
Kojic Acid is a small pyranone molecule produced naturally by several species of fungi (including Aspergillus and Penicillium) during the fermentation of sugars such as glucose. Its structure gives it a strong ability to chelate metal ions — particularly the copper ion at the active site of tyrosinase, the enzyme responsible for melanin production — which is why it’s become a standard active ingredient in skin-brightening cosmetic formulations.
Cosmetic formulators use Kojic Acid primarily to inhibit tyrosinase activity, reducing melanin production for skin-brightening and hyperpigmentation-focused products; it also serves as a reference inhibitor standard when screening other compounds for tyrosinase-inhibiting activity. Its chelating ability supports use as a food-industry antioxidant and preservative, where binding trace metal ions helps slow oxidative discoloration. As an antioxidant, it can also produce radioprotective effects when chelated with manganese or zinc.
Sigma Aldrich’s reference listing for this compound carries no GHS hazard pictogram or hazard statement it is not classified as GHS-hazardous at this purity/form.
