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Product Introduction
Malic Acid, also known as 2-Hydroxybutanedioic Acid, has two stereoisomers due to an asymmetric carbon atom in the molecule. It exists in three forms in nature: D-Malic Acid, L-Malic Acid, and their mixture, DL-Malic Acid. It appears as a white crystalline or crystalline powder with strong hygroscopic properties, easily soluble in water and ethanol, and has a distinct, pleasant acidic taste. Malic Acid is primarily used in the food and pharmaceutical industries.
Malic Acid comes in three isomers: L-Malic Acid, D-Malic Acid, and DL-Malic Acid. Naturally occurring Malic Acid is predominantly L-Type, found in almost all fruits, with the highest concentration in pome fruits. Malic Acid appears as colorless needle-like crystals or white crystalline powder, odorless, with a sharp, pleasant acidic taste.
The most common form is L-Malic Acid, found in the juice of unripe hawthorn, apples, and grapes. It can also be produced through the fermentation of fumaric acid. It is an important intermediate in the body's citric acid cycle and is easily absorbed, making it a widely used food additive and functional food ingredient in various sectors, including food, cosmetics, medicine, and health products. Racemic mixtures can be synthesized from fumaric acid or maleic acid under high-temperature, high-pressure conditions with the presence of water vapor.
Production Process
(1) Extraction Method: Boil juice from unripe apples, grapes, peaches, etc., add lime water to form calcium salt precipitate, then process to obtain free malic acid.
(2) Synthesis Method: Catalytically oxidize benzene to obtain maleic acid and fumaric acid, then hydrate under high temperature and pressure. The hydration reaction is usually conducted at 180-220°C and 1.4-1.8MPa for 3-5 hours. The main products are malic acid and a small amount of fumaric acid. Adjust the malic acid content to 40% at 40°C, cool the solution to about 15°C, filter out fumaric acid crystals, concentrate the mother liquor, centrifuge to separate the solid, and obtain crude malic acid, then refine by crystallization to get the finished product.
(3) Fermentation Method: Produce L-Malic Acid from fumaric acid using biological enzymes.
Functions and Effects
Acidity Regulator
Applications:
Food Industry:
L-Malic Acid is a key component in natural fruit juices, offering a stronger acidity than citric acid (20% more acidic), but with a milder taste (higher buffering index) and a special flavor. It does not harm the mouth or teeth, aids in amino acid absorption, and does not accumulate fat. It is a new-generation food acidulant, praised as the “ideal food acidulant” by the biological and nutritional communities, and has been replacing citric acid in foods for the elderly and children since 2013.
L-Malic Acid is an essential organic acid in the human body and an ideal low-calorie food additive. When combined with 20% citric acid, it can produce a strong natural fruit flavor.
Beverages (various soft drinks): L-Malic Acid in soft drinks provides a refreshing taste and flavor close to natural fruit juice. Major domestic food companies, such as Wahaha Group and Jianlibao Group, have begun using L-Malic Acid in beverages.
L-Malic Acid is an intermediate in the citric acid cycle of living organisms, with a flavor close to natural fruit juice and a natural aroma. It generates less heat compared to citric acid and has a better taste, making it widely used in alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, jams, chewing gum, and other foods, gradually replacing citric acid. It is one of the most used and promising organic acids in the global food industry.
L-Malic Acid contains natural moisturizing components that easily dissolve sticky substances between dry, scaly dead cells, helping to remove surface wrinkles and improve skin texture. It is highly favored in cosmetic formulations; L-Malic Acid is used in various fragrances and flavorings for daily chemical products like toothpaste and shampoos. Compared to citric acid, L-Malic Acid has a milder, more distinctive sour taste, making it a preferred alternative to citric acid in new cleaning agents and high-end specialty detergents.
L-Malic Acid can be used in treating liver disease, anemia, low immunity, uremia, hypertension, liver failure, and reducing the toxic effects of anticancer drugs on normal cells. It is also used in the preparation and synthesis of insecticides, anti-tartar agents, and more.
Pharmaceutical Industry:
In various tablets and syrups, malic acid imparts a fruity flavor and aids in absorption and diffusion within the body. It is commonly added to amino acid injections to improve amino acid utilization. Its sodium salt is an effective treatment for liver dysfunction, particularly hypertension. L-Potassium Malate is a good potassium supplement, maintaining fluid balance and treating edema, hypertension, and fat accumulation.
L-Malic Acid can be used in pharmaceutical formulations, tablets, syrups, and amino acid solutions, significantly enhancing amino acid absorption. It is effective in treating liver disease, anemia, low immunity, uremia, hypertension, liver failure, and reducing the toxicity of anticancer drugs on normal cells. It is also used in the preparation and synthesis of insecticides, anti-tartar agents, and more. Additionally, L-Malic Acid is used as an industrial cleaner, resin curing agent, synthetic material plasticizer, feed additive, and more.
Daily Chemical Industry:
Zinc L-Malic Acid is used in toothpaste as an antibacterial plaque and anti-tartar agent, and in synthetic fragrance formulations.
Chemical Industry:
Used as a descaling agent and a raw material for fluorescent whitening agents. Added to shellac varnish or other varnishes, it prevents skin formation on the paint surface. Polyester resins and alkyd resins produced from this acid are specialty plastics.
Agriculture:
In November 2022, Chinese scientists discovered the selection of organic acids (flavor) such as malic acid in watermelon improvement.
Packaging and Storage:
【Storage Conditions】Seal and protect from light, avoid high temperatures, store in a dry, cool, well-ventilated place
【Packaging】Bulk: 25kg/ cardboard drum, Sample: 1kg/ aluminum foil bag, customizable packaging available
【Transport】Courier or logistics, domestic courier delivery within three days, logistics within five days. Pricing generally includes domestic shipping costs
【Shelf Life】Two years
