| Abstract: | Maltol (3-hydroxy-2-methyl-4H-pyran-4-one) inhibits the rate of oxidation of different o-dihydroxyphenols by tyrosinase when assayed spectrophotometrically, but not when assayed polarographically. The spectral changes occurring during the oxidation of different o-dihydroxyphenols by tyrosinase (or by sodium periodate) in the absence or presence of maltol were different, suggesting that maltol conjugates with the o-quinones formed. Maltol does not inhibit tyrosinase activity per se but only gives an apparent inhibition probably due to its ability to conjugate with o-quinones. |
