Quick Search
Kojic Acid is a secondary metabolite commonly produced by many species of filamentous fungi, including Aspergillus and Penicillium.
Due to its inhibitory effect, Kojic Acid is widely used as a skin lightening/whitening or depigmenting agent in cosmetic products.
CAS number:501-30-4
EC Number:207-922-4
Chemical formula:C 6 H 6 O 4
Molar mass:142.110 g mol
Kojic Acid, whose chemical name is 5-hydroxy-2-hydroxymethyl-4-pyrrone, is an antioxidant.
Kojic acid is an organic compound with the formula HOCH2C5H2O2OH.
Kojic acid is a byproduct of the fermentation process of malting rice, used in the production of sake, the Japanese rice wine.
Kojic acid is a mild inhibitor of pigment formation in plant and animal tissues and is used to preserve or change the color of substances in food and cosmetics.
Kojic acid is a small organic molecule with a variety of potential applications, from pharmaceuticals to biopolymers to cosmetics.
The compound itself has both antiparasitic and cytotoxic activity.
Kojic acids derivatives have been investigated for their antimalarial, antimicrobial, antibacterial, antifungal and cytotoxic properties.
Kojic acid also acts as a tyrosinase inhibitor.
Kojic acid also functions as a radioprotective agent, antioxidant and radical scavenger.
In cosmetics, the parent compound and its derivatives are used as whitening agents.
In agriculture, kojic acid has been researched as a pesticide and insecticide.
Deprotonation of the ring-OH group converts kojic acid to cojate.
Kojate chelates iron, forming a red Fe3 complex.
This type of reaction may be the basis of the biological function of kojic aid, namely solubilizing ferric iron.
A multifunctional molecule, kojic acid has diverse organic chemistry.
The hydroxymethyl group gives the chloromethyl derivative when treated with thionyl chloride.
Kojic acid is a natural metabolite produced by fungal fermentation of corn or rice sugars.
Alternatively, it is isolated from a fungus or some herbal products such as soy sauce/rice vinegar.
Kojic acid is an off-white powder.
Kojic acid is a reactive molecule, but its derivatives are also used for similar purposes.
Kojic acid is mainly used for skin lightening and skin problems related to pigmentation defects.
Kojic acid is known to mainly inhibit the tyrosinase enzyme responsible for melanin synthesis.
Kojic acid inhibits the tanning effect with a similar mechanism in the presence of sunlight.
Therefore,Kojic acid is used as a UV protector and suppressor of hyperpigmentation.
Kojic acid also has other uses, such as being a good product color stabilizer.
When kojic acid is used in a product, acts as a preservative, protecting the product from chemical and microbial spoilage.
Kojic acid is used in creams, lotions, make-up products and liquids, and has a crystalline physical appearance in solid form.
Kojic acids melting point is 153.5 °C.
Kojic acid terms of solubility, it is slightly soluble in water, ethyl alcohol and acetone.
Kojic Acid prevents pigment formation on the skin and is considered an inhibitory agent.
Kojic acid has the ability to create better effects by making an esterification reaction with different chemicals used as skin lighteners in the cosmetics industry.
Kojic acid is used as a lightening agent in the field of dermatology by combining it with hydroquinone.
Kojic acid is used as a skin lightening ingredient in some cosmetic products.
As a substance that prevents pigment production in the skin, it stops the tyrosinase enzyme that provides pigment production.
Kojic acid is used in the production of creams that are produced to eliminate sunburns and black spots when applied to the body.
Kojic acid is used after being modified with Ascorbic Acid (L-Ascorbic Acid) to minimize damage from sunlight.
Kojic acid is used as a preservative in the production of hairdressing materials, especially in components used for hair curling.
In this way, it prevents microbial growth.
Kojic acid is added to medications produced to prevent yeast infections or fungal infections that occur in athletes' feet.
Kojic acid is used as the active ingredient for such creams and medicines, and is used in these applications to increase the effect of antifungals and fungicides.
Often used topically, kojic acid is produced from many different types of mushrooms, the Reishi mushroom growing in Asia being the most commonly used.
Kojic acid is preferred in this region as an alternative to the chemical whitener hydroquinine.
Based on this, it is possible to say that this type of acid is effective on stains and its whitening feature also stands out.
Kojic acid is basically produced by the fermentation of bacteria in sake rice.
Kojic acids most important feature is that it brightens skin color and regulates pigmentation.
Kojic acid soap, which you can choose for a whiter skin, reduces the melanin pigment that gives the skin brownness.
In this way, you can achieve a whiter, brighter and brighter appearance.
Kojic acid, a molecule of natural origin, can serve as a template for the synthesis of new biologically active compounds.
Synthetic KA (pyranone) derivatives have various biological activities due to their similarity to flavonoids.
Kojic acids most important feature is antifungal and antineoplastic activity and the ability to chelate metals.
Kojic acid is often used topically to treat a number of different cosmetic conditions.
Kojic acid is approved for use in cosmetic products at concentrations of 1 percent or less.
Kojic acid is mostly used as a skin lightening agent.
Kojic acid can be found in many different types of cosmetic products, including powders, serums, creams, cleansers, and soaps.
Powders should be mixed with water or lotion according to product instructions.
Some products, such as soaps and cleansers, need to be washed immediately.
Others, such as creams and serums, are designed to be left on and absorbed by the skin.
Kojic acid is absorbed by the skin quite slowly.
Kojic acid can also be used as a catalyst to accelerate other compounds.
Improvement in the production of such valuable metabolites can be achieved through manipulation of microbial strains or optimization of the fermentation process.
Other procedures applied in biotechnology for overproduction of a metabolite include media optimization and mathematical modeling.
Some products, such as face masks containing kojic acid, are designed for occasional use only.
Creams and cleansers can be used daily.
Products containing kojic acid are most commonly used on the face and hands, but can also be used on all non-sensitive areas of the body.
Kojic acid is also sometimes used in health products.
Kojic acid can be used to treat skin conditions such as sun damage, scars and age spots.
The science behind how kojic acid works as a lightening agent benefits from the fact that it inhibits the production of melanin.
Melanin is a pigment that occurs naturally in the body and gives color to eyes, hair and skin.
An amino acid called tyrosine is required to support melanin production.
Kojic acid works by blocking the formation of tyrosine, which in turn inhibits the production of melanin.
Decreased melanin production can have a lightening effect on the skin.
Kojic acid is most commonly used in cosmetic products such as creams, lotions and serums.
Kojic acid is also used in some soaps.
Many products containing kojic acid are designed for use on the hands or face.
Products containing kojic acid can also be used on other parts of the body such as legs and arms.
The concentration of kojic acid in cosmetics is usually between 1 and 4 percent.
Some products containing kojic acid, such as serums, are intended to be applied to the skin, left on, and absorbed.
Some products such as soap and facial gel are applied and washed off.
Hyperpigmentation describes dark spots on your skin caused by excess melanin.
Kojic acid's usually nothing to worry about, but blemishes can affect your appearance.
Kojic acid works as an antioxidant and skin lightening agent.
Kojic acid fades or completely eliminates dark spots.
Kojic acids purpose is to equalize skin tone.
Kojic acid is used in cosmetic formulations and anti-aging products.
This not only helps improve overall skin tone but also makes it a good overall anti-aging ingredient.
Kojic acid has anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties.
Unlike many other acids, it also has these unique properties, but these are secondary to its skin lightening benefits.
According to experts, kojic acid is safe for most skin types.
Kojic Acid Powder is a powerful whitening agent.
Tyrosinase is key to melanin production.
The copper combination of kojic acid and tyrosinase inhibits the formation of melanin, which has a whitening effect.
Kojic acid has a strong inhibitory effect on melanin in human skin and is safe and non-toxic.
Currently, kojic acid powder is widely used in cosmetics for skin whitening, anti-aging and reducing melanin deposition.
Kojic acid is an industrial enzyme that performs equally well at pH = 5.0–7.0 and shows 30% activity at pH = 8 with an optimum temperature range of 40–50 °C.
At 50 °C, there is no noticeable loss of activity within a few hours.
However, at 60 °C, the enzyme loses 80% of its activity within 1 hour.
Kojic acid is produced industrially by aerobic fermentation by Aspergillus species.
The production of kojic acid is increasing due to its commercial value in industry.
Kojic acid has various applications in various fields.
Kojic acid is widely used in the cosmetic industry, pharmaceutical, food industry, agriculture and chemical industry.
Today, kojic acid plays a very important role in cosmetics, especially in skin care products.
Because it can improve the ability to prevent exposure to UV radiation.
Kojic acid continues to attract attention in the medical field for its economic potential as an anti-inflammatory drug and pain reliever.
In the food industry, kojic acid is used as an agent to prevent staining and darkening in agricultural products during post-harvest processing.
The demand for kojic acid is rapidly increasing due to the various uses of this organic molecule.
For this reason, studies to improve kojic acid production are still being carried out intensively.
The Scientific Committee on Consumer Products (SCCP) issued its first opinion on the safety of Kojic Acid in 2008.
Based on the information provided and the calculation of margins of safety (MoS), the Committee concluded that Kojic Acid should be used in a certain proportion.
Kojic acid was stated that the maximum concentration of 1.0% in skin care formulations poses a risk to the health of consumers and that Kojic Acid has the potential to cause skin sensitivity.
SCCP requested the submission of relevant data on the kinetics of the component (after dermal application) to improve the MoS approach.
A new dermal penetration study and industry response were presented, and in 2012 the European Commission's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SSCS) issued a second opinion on Kojic Acid.
SCCS stated: “Re-examination of available data for Kojic Acid used in permanent creams at a concentration of 1.0% as a skin whitening agent, usually applied to the face and/or hands, leads to the conclusion that it is safe.
No conclusions can be drawn regarding Kojic Acid derivatives (e.g. Kojic Acid esters, Kojic Acid dipalmitate, Kojic Acid isopalmitate and chloro-Kojic Acid esters).
Because no data has been presented about them.
Additionally, the Committee considered that concerns arise regarding the use of Kojic Acid when the human skin barrier is weakened (e.g. after peeling) or when the ingredient is applied to larger skin surfaces.
Kojic acids most common use is as a skin depigmenting agent, attributed primarily to its inhibition of tyrosinase, the key enzyme in melanin synthesis.
Leukocyte modulation, copper chelating effect and free radical scavenging also play a role in kojic acid depigmentation mechanism.
In addition, antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities have also been reported.
Disadvantages of this molecule include the possibility of causing contact dermatitis, sensitization, redness, and erythema.
Kojic acid also has low stability, sensitivity to light and heat, and unstable oxidative properties.
Therefore, to overcome such disadvantages, kojic dipalmitate drug delivery systems have been described.
Despite these disadvantages, kojic acid is still widely used in the cosmetic industry due to its strong depigmentation effect.
Kojic acid is applied as an alternative to hydroquinone, the most popular depigmenting agent, as hydroquinone has safety issues and can cause permanent depigmentation.
Kojic acid or its esters, such as kojic dipalmitate, can be found in skin care products such as creams or serums from popular cosmetic brands.
They are often found in such products in concentrations of up to 3% and are cited as whitening and lightening ingredients.
Combination therapy is also common and kojic acid can be found with hydroquinone or arbutin, for example.
Kojic acid, which is used in the food industry as well as in cosmetics, prevents foods from browning and acts as an antimicrobial agent.
Kojic Acid has been reported to interfere with the iodine organization or iodine uptake of the thyroid, resulting in altered thyroid functions.
The SCCS concluded that kojic acid is unsafe when used at 1% in cosmetic products.
Without specific data on different cosmetic products containing Kojic acid, SCCS cannot make recommendations on the safe concentration of Kojic acid in individual cosmetic products.
In this SCCS opinion, only topical use of Kojic acid in cosmetics is considered.
Kojic acid derivatives are not included in this opinion as no data are presented.
SYNONYMS
5-hydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)-4-pyrone
5-hydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)-4H-pyran-4-one
asido kójico
