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 presence of some substituents may change the course of reduction process. The polarography of these compounds in the presence of alpha-lipoic acid showed the kojic acid analog-alpha-lipoic acid complex formation. The determined potential carcinogenic activity of these compounds expressed as a parameter tg alpha is not substantial.