Malic Acid
Whatsapp Order
 Malic Acid is a naturally occurring dicarboxylic acid found in many fruits, particularly apples, and is commonly used as a food additive, flavor enhancer, and acidulant. It is available in crystalline or powder form and has a strong, tart taste. Commercially, it is produced synthetically or extracted from natural sources. Malic Acid exists in two isomeric forms: L-malic acid (naturally occurring and biologically active) and DL-malic acid (synthetic racemic mixture). It is highly soluble in water and widely used in food, beverage, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries.
Categories: Acidulants, Analytical Reagents, Excipients
Tags: Acidulant, Flavor Enhancer, Food additive, Malic Acid, Organic Acid, Pharmaceutical use
Description
Malic Acid
Primary Uses
- Food & Beverage Industry
- Acidulant: Adds tartness and enhances flavor in beverages, candies, fruit preparations, jams, and jellies.
- Preservative: Lowers pH to inhibit microbial growth and prolong shelf life.
- Flavor Enhancer: Intensifies fruit flavors and balances sweetness in soft drinks and desserts.
- pH Control Agent: Used to adjust acidity in processed foods and beverages.
- Leavening Agent: In baking powders (when combined with bicarbonates), improves leavening efficiency.
- Pharmaceutical Industry
- Excipient: Acts as a flavoring agent in chewable tablets, syrups, and effervescent formulations.
- Buffering Agent: Helps stabilize pH in oral medicines and topical products.
- Chelating Agent: Used to bind metal ions and enhance bioavailability of active ingredients.
- Active Ingredient: Occasionally used in formulations for kidney stone prevention and metabolic support.
- Cosmetic & Personal Care Products
- Exfoliant: Used in skincare products (e.g., peels, cleansers) for gentle exfoliation and skin renewal.
- pH Adjuster: Helps balance acidity in creams, lotions, and shampoos.
- Humectant: Attracts moisture to the skin, improving hydration in lotions and serums.
- Chemical & Industrial Applications
- Metal Cleaning & Surface Treatment: Functions as a chelating and descaling agent in industrial cleaners.
- Electroplating: Used in some metal plating processes for complexing metal ions.
- Polymer Additive: Occasionally used in biodegradable polymers and resins to improve flexibility or processing.
Secondary Uses
- Animal Nutrition
- Used as a feed additive to improve palatability and digestion in livestock and poultry.
- Agriculture & Horticulture
- Used in foliar sprays and nutrient solutions to enhance nutrient uptake through chelation.
- Sometimes added to crop treatments as a pH buffer and stabilizer.
- Dental Applications
- Incorporated in tooth whiteners and mouth rinses for pH control and flavor enhancement.
- Occasionally used in plaque-removing formulations.
- Laboratory & Research
- Used in biochemical research as a buffering or pH-adjusting agent in enzyme assays and fermentation processes.
- Beverage Mixes & Nutraceuticals
- Included in sports drinks, dietary supplements, and rehydration salts for tartness and mineral absorption.
PRODUCT KEY FEATURES
- Basic Identification Attributes
- Chemical Name (IUPAC): 2-Hydroxy-1,2,3-propane-tricarboxylic acid
- Common/Trade Name: Malic Acid
- CAS Number: 6915-15-7 (DL-malic acid); 97-67-6 (L-malic acid)
- HS Code: 2918.19.00
- Synonyms: Hydroxybutanedioic acid; Apple acid; DL-malic acid; L-malic acid
- Physical & Chemical Properties
- Physical State: Crystalline solid or fine powder
- Color & Odor: White; odorless
- Solubility: Soluble in water and alcohol
- Melting Point: 100–130 °C (varies by isomer)
- Boiling Point: Decomposes before boiling
- Molecular Formula: C₄H₆O₅
- Molecular Weight: 134.09 g/mol
- pH (1% solution): 2.0–3.0
- Taste: Strongly acidic, sour
- Stability: Stable under dry, cool conditions
- Safety & Hazard Attributes
- GHS Classification:
- Eye Irritant – Category 2
- Skin Irritant – Category 2 (in concentrated forms)
- Toxicity: Generally recognized as safe (GRAS) when used appropriately
- Exposure Limits: No established occupational exposure limits
- Carcinogenicity: Not classified as carcinogenic
- Storage & Handling Attributes
- Storage Conditions: Store in a cool, dry place in a tightly sealed container
- Container Type: Food-grade plastic or fiber drums with inner liners
- Shelf Life: Typically 2 years under optimal storage conditions
- Handling Precautions: Avoid dust formation; wear protective gear when handling large quantities
- Regulatory & Compliance Attributes
- Approved as food additive (E296) by FDA, EFSA, Codex Alimentarius
- Conforms to USP, FCC, and food-grade standards
- REACH registered and compliant with global chemical safety regulations
- Labeling must include purity grade and additive code when used in food
- Environmental & Health Impact
- Biodegradability: Readily biodegradable
- Ecotoxicity: Low; minimal environmental risk under typical usage
- Bioaccumulation: Not expected to bioaccumulate
- Carcinogenicity/Mutagenicity: Not classified; safe for intended applications
SAFETY HANDLING PRECAUTIONS
- Safety Handling Precautions
- PPE Required: Safety goggles, gloves, dust mask (for powder handling)
- Handling Guidelines: Use in well-ventilated area; avoid eye or prolonged skin contact
- Storage Measures: Keep tightly sealed to prevent moisture absorption; store away from strong oxidizers
- First Aid Measures
- Inhalation: Move to fresh air if inhaled; seek medical attention if symptoms persist
- Skin Contact: Wash with soap and water; apply moisturizer if dryness occurs
- Eye Contact: Rinse thoroughly with water for 15 minutes; seek medical advice if irritation continues
- Ingestion: Rinse mouth; non-toxic in small amounts, but seek advice if large quantity is consumed
- Firefighting Measures
- Fire Hazards: Not flammable, but may decompose at high temperatures
- Extinguishing Media: Use water spray, foam, dry chemical, or COâ‚‚
- Special Precautions: Wear appropriate protective equipment and breathing apparatus
- Hazardous Combustion Products: May produce carbon oxides (CO, COâ‚‚)
Related products
Acetic Acid (Food Grade)
Food-grade acetic acid is a clear, colorless liquid organic compound with a pungent vinegar-like odor. It is a high-purity form of acetic acid specifically produced and processed for safe use in food applications. As the main component of vinegar (after dilution), it serves as a critical flavoring agent, pH adjuster, and preservative in the food industry. Food-grade acetic acid typically has a concentration of 80-100% (glacial acetic acid) or is diluted to lower concentrations (4-20%) for specific applications.
Carbomer 940
Carbomer is a high molecular weight, crosslinked polyacrylic acid polymer used primarily as a rheology modifier, thickening agent, and suspension stabilizer. Supplied as a fluffy white powder, it exhibits high viscosity and excellent clarity when neutralized and dispersed in water or alcohol-water systems. Carbomer 940 is widely valued for its ability to form clear gels, control flow properties, and stabilize emulsions. It is commonly used in cosmetics, personal care, pharmaceuticals, and household formulations due to its consistency, compatibility, and efficient thickening performance at low concentrations.
Cellozize (Tylose)
 Cellozize, commonly known by the trade name Tylose, is a brand of hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC), a non-ionic, water-soluble cellulose ether derived from natural cellulose. It appears as a white to off-white powder with excellent thickening, binding, and film-forming properties. Tylose is widely used as a rheology modifier, stabilizer, and thickener in various industries including construction, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food. It provides viscosity control, improves texture, and enhances water retention in formulations. Due to its inert, non-toxic, and biodegradable nature, Tylose is favored as a versatile polymer in many applications.
Cetomacrogel 1000BP
Cetomacrogel 1000BP is a high molecular weight polyethylene glycol (PEG) derivative, typically used as a thickening agent, emulsifier, and stabilizer in pharmaceutical and cosmetic formulations. It appears as a white to off-white, waxy solid or flakes with a neutral odor. Known for its excellent water solubility and compatibility with various ingredients, Cetomacrogel 1000BP enhances texture, viscosity, and stability in creams, ointments, and gels. It serves as a hydrophilic vehicle base in topical and oral pharmaceutical preparations and improves product spreadability and skin feel.
Cetomacrogol PEG1000 (Ginonic CSA 20)
Cetomacrogol PEG (Ginonic CSA) is a polyethylene glycol-based nonionic surfactant and emulsifier with an average molecular weight of approximately 1000 Da. It appears as a white to off-white waxy solid or flakes with a neutral odor. This high-quality grade is widely used in cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and personal care formulations due to its excellent emulsifying, solubilizing, and moisturizing properties. Cetomacrogol PEG1000 (Ginonic CSA 20) facilitates stable oil-in-water emulsions, improves product texture and skin feel, and enhances the bioavailability of active ingredients. Its hydrophilic nature and compatibility with a wide range of ingredients make it a versatile additive in creams, lotions, ointments, and topical gels.
Cetrimide Powder 98%
Cetrimide Powder is a high-purity quaternary ammonium compound widely used for its antiseptic, disinfectant, and surfactant properties. It is a cationic surfactant derived from cetyltrimethylammonium bromide and appears as a white to off-white crystalline powder with a slight characteristic odor. Known for its excellent antimicrobial efficacy against bacteria and fungi, cetrimide is frequently incorporated in pharmaceutical, personal care, and industrial formulations. It acts as a bactericidal agent, detergent, and emulsifier, providing effective cleaning and disinfecting action.
Disodium Hydrogen Phosphate Dihydrate (Na₂HPO₄·2H₂O)
Disodium Hydrogen Phosphate Dihydrate is the hydrated form of disodium hydrogen phosphate, a white crystalline powder commonly used as a buffering agent, emulsifier, and sequestrant. The dihydrate form contains two water molecules per formula unit, which affects its physical properties such as melting point and solubility. It is widely applied in food, pharmaceutical, water treatment, and industrial processes to maintain pH stability, improve texture, and supply essential sodium and phosphate ions.
Disodium Phosphate
Disodium Phosphate, also known as sodium phosphate dibasic, is an inorganic compound widely used for its buffering, emulsifying, and chelating properties. It commonly appears as a white, odorless crystalline powder or granules that are highly soluble in water and alkaline in nature. Disodium Phosphate plays a vital role in regulating pH, improving stability in formulations, and providing essential sodium and phosphate ions. It finds extensive use across food processing, pharmaceuticals, water treatment, agriculture, and industrial applications.