J « „. 



142 



similarities on their active site. The inhibitory mode of kojic acid on 

 PPO was shown following actions: (1) by competing with substrate for the 

 active site of the enzyme; (2) by interfering with the uptake of O2 

 required for the enzymatic reactions; (3) by reducing o-quinones to 

 o-diphenols to prevent melanin formation via polymerization; and/or (4) by 

 combination of the above three methods. 



