TYROSINASE INHIBITORS FROM ANACARDIUM-OCCIDENTALE FRUITS

Anacardic acids, 2-methylcardols, and cardols isolated from various pa rts of the cashew [Anacardium occidentale] (Anacardiaceae) fruit have been found to exhibit tyrosinase inhibitory activity. Kinetic studies with the two principal active compounds, 6-[8(Z),11(Z),14-pentadecatri enyl]salicylic acid and 5-[8(Z),11(Z),14-pentadecatrienyl]resorcinol, have indicated that both of these phenolic compounds exhibit character istic competitive inhibition of the oxidation of L-3,4-dihydroxyphenyl alanine (L-DOPA) by mushroom tyrosinase.