Pharmaceutical & Fine Chemicals
Malic Acid
Product Description
Malic acid is a dicarboxylic acid with various industrial, commercial, and food-related applications.
Product:
Malic Acid
CAS:
6915-15-7
Synonym:
2-Hydroxybutanedioic acid
Structure:
Typical Characteristics
Appearance
White crystalline powder
Boiling point
>225 °C (decomposes)
Density
1.6 g/cm3
Flash Point
203 °C
Melting point
131-133 °C
Molecular Weight
134.09
Odor
Nearly odorless
Purity
≥99%
Refractive index
1.3920
Uses, Applications & Markets
Key applications
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Malic Acid used in many
industry applications
Malic acid is a dicarboxylic acid with various industrial, commercial, and food-related applications. Here are some of its uses:
- Food and Beverage Industry: Malic acid is commonly used as a food additive in the food and beverage industry. It is used as an acidulant and flavor enhancer in various products such as fruit-flavored beverages, candies, jams, jellies, and sour confectionery. Malic acid provides a tart and refreshing taste, and it can also be used to enhance the natural flavor of fruits.
- Acidulant: Malic acid is used as an acidulant in food processing and preservation. It helps to adjust the pH of food products, improve flavor stability, and prevent microbial spoilage. Malic acid is particularly useful in acidic fruit products and carbonated beverages where it contributes to a sour taste.
- Ingredient in Pharmaceuticals: Malic acid is used as an ingredient in pharmaceutical formulations and dietary supplements. It may be included in tablets, capsules, and powders as an excipient or buffering agent. Malic acid is also used in oral care products such as mouthwashes and toothpaste for its tart flavor and buffering properties.
- Cosmetics and Personal Care Products: Malic acid is used in cosmetics and personal care products for its exfoliating and skin-smoothing properties. It is commonly found in facial cleansers, toners, and exfoliating scrubs where it helps to remove dead skin cells, unclog pores, and improve skin texture.
- Industrial Applications: Malic acid has various industrial applications beyond the food and beverage industry. It is used as a chelating agent in metal cleaning and plating processes, as a pH adjuster in wastewater treatment, and as a component in biodegradable polymers and resins.
- Flavoring Agent: Malic acid is used as a flavoring agent in the production of artificial flavors and fragrances. It is added to flavor blends to enhance their fruity and tangy notes, providing a more natural and authentic taste profile.
- Wine and Brewing Industry: Malic acid plays a significant role in winemaking and brewing. In winemaking, malic acid can be naturally present in grapes and is also sometimes added to adjust acidity levels during fermentation. In brewing, malic acid may be used to adjust the acidity and flavor profile of beers and ciders.
- Medical Applications: Malic acid is sometimes used in medical applications, particularly in the treatment of certain health conditions. It has been studied for its potential benefits in improving exercise performance, alleviating muscle soreness, and managing conditions such as fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.
- Flavor Enhancer in Pharmaceuticals: Malic acid is used as a flavor enhancer in the pharmaceutical industry. It can mask the bitter taste of drugs and improve their palatability, making them more acceptable to patients, especially in chewable tablets, syrups, and oral suspensions.
- Biotechnological Applications: Malic acid is used in various biotechnological processes and research applications. It may serve as a substrate or carbon source in microbial fermentation processes for the production of organic acids, biofuels, and other bioproducts.