Tyrosinase Inhibitor Screening Kit (Colorimetric)

Tyrosinase or polyphenol oxidase (EC 1.14.18.1), is an oxidoreductase that participates in the biosynthesis of melanin, a ubiquitous biological pigment found in hair, eyes, skin, etc. Inhibition of tyrosinase has been a long-time target in the skin health research, cosmetics and agricultural industries because of its role in browning reactions in skin pigmentation and during fruit harvesting and handling. Skin whitening and bleaching products utilize natural or synthetic tyrosinase inhibitors in order to lighten the skin color. Polyphenols, benzaldehyde derivatives, long-chain lipids, steroids, and natural compounds have been used as tyrosinase inhibitors. Tyrosinase catalyzes the oxidation of tyrosine, producing a chromophore that can be detected at 510 nm. In the presence of Kojic Acid, a reversible inhibitor of tyrosinase, the rate of oxidation of the substrate is decreased. The kit provides a rapid, simple, sensitive, and reliable test suitable for high-throughput screening of tyrosinase inhibitors. The assay is also adaptable to a 384-well format.