The biosynthesis of kojic acid. 3. The incorporation of labelled small molecules into kojic acid

Abstract

The biosynthesis of kojic acid from Cl4-labelled acetate, glycine, pyruvate and other small molecules by A. oryzae and A. flavus-orvzae was investigated. Acetate, glycine and pyruvate appear to be converted to a common 3-carbon intermediate, which gives rise mainly to C atoms 4,5 and 6 of kojic acid, while C atoms 1, 2 and 3 contain much less radioactivity. The mechanism of the incorporation of the above small molecules into kojic acid is discussed.