POLAROGRAPHIC-BEHAVIOR OF KOJIC ACID AND ITS DERIVATIVES, DETERMINATION OF POTENTIAL CARCINOGENICITY AND CORRELATION OF THESE PROPERTIES WITH THEIR OTHER ATTRIBUTES

Polarographic properties of kojic acid [5-hydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)-4H -pyran-4-one] and 10 of their synthetic derivatives were investigated. It was shown that these compounds are reduced in anhydrous conditions , usually in one two-electron step or in two one-electron steps. The p resence of some substituents may change the course of reduction proces s. The polarography of these compounds in the presence of alpha-lipoic acid showed the kojic acid analog - alpha-lipoic acid complex formati on. The determined potential carcinogenic activity of these compounds expressed as a parameter tg alpha is not substantial.