Kojic acid (CAS 501-30-4) is a small-molecule inhibitor targeting tyrosinase a key enzyme involved in melanin biosynthesis It is designed to inhibit tyrosinase activity thereby reducing melanin production Kojic acid exerts its biological activity primarily through chelation of copper ions at the active site of tyrosinase In enzymatic assays on mushroom tyrosinase kojic acid demonstrates inhibitory activity with an IC50 typically ranging from 14 to 50 M Based on these pharmacological properties kojic acid holds research potential in hyperpigmentation disorders skin whitening applications and oxidative stress-related experimental models