Background Tyrosinase is an enzyme involved in the first steps of the melanogenesis
process. It catalyzes the hydroxylation of monophenols to o-diphenols and the oxidation of
the latter to o-quinones. Ellagic acid (EA) is a phenolic compound which has been described
as a tyrosinase inhibitor and is used in the cosmetic industry as a whitening agent. However,
it has hydroxyl groups in ortho position and could act as a substrate rather than inhibitor.
This aspect should be taken into consideration when using this compound as a cosmetic …