Design and synthesis of novel stilbene-hydroxypyridinone hybrids as tyrosinase inhibitors and their application in the anti-browning of freshly-cut apples

•A range of stilbene-hydroxypyridinone hybrids were prepared starting from kojic acid.•2-(3,5-Dihydroxystyryl)-1-hexyl-5-hydroxypyridin-4(1H)-one (1h) inhibited tyrosinase.•Compound 1h was a reversible and mixed-type inhibitor on diphenolase.•Copper coordination and reduction could be important inhibitory mechanism.•Compound 1h effectively retard the browning of fresh-cut apple slices.