Malic acid, also known as 2-hydroxybutanedioic acid, has two stereoisomers due to an asymmetric carbon atom in the molecule. In nature, it exists in three forms, i.e., D-malic acid, L-malic acid and its mixture DL-malic acid, which is a white crystalline or crystalline powder with strong hygroscopicity, easily soluble in water and ethanol, and has a special pleasant acidic flavor.

Malic acid is mainly used in the food and pharmaceutical industries.The production methods of L-malic acid have been developed from the early single extraction method to the following methods: extraction, chemical synthesis, one-step fermentation, two-step fermentation, immobilized enzyme or cell transformation method. At present, the problem is still the lack of good production strains, in the research and breeding of good strains at the same time, focusing on strengthening the extraction process and other related technology research, improve the upstream and downstream engineering supporting technology research and development is very necessary.

1. Food industry applications

L-malic acid is an important component of natural fruit juice, compared with citric acid, it has a large acidity (acidity is 20% stronger than citric acid), but a soft taste (with a high buffer index), with a special flavor, without damaging the oral cavity and teeth, metabolism is conducive to the absorption of amino acids, does not accumulate fat, is a new generation of food acidulant, is known as the “ideal food acidulant” by the biological community and nutritional industry. It is the new generation of food acidifier, which is regarded as “the most ideal food acidifier” by biological and nutritional circles, and has been replacing citric acid in food for the elderly and children since 2013.

L-malic acid is an essential organic acid and an ideal low-calorie food additive. When 50% L-malic acid is used in combination with 20% citric acid, it gives a strong natural fruit flavor.

Beverages (all kinds of refreshing drinks): The soft drinks prepared by applying L-malic acid are thirst quenching and refreshing, with apple sour flavor, close to natural fruit juice. Some large domestic food companies, such as Wahaha Group and Jianlibao Group have started to use L-malic acid in beverages.

L-malic acid is the cyclic intermediate of tricarboxylic acid of organism, the taste is close to natural fruit juice and has natural flavor, compared with citric acid, it produces lower calories and better taste, so it is widely used in many kinds of food such as wine, beverage, jam, chewing gum and so on, and it has the momentum of gradually replacing citric acid. It is one of the organic acids with the largest dosage and better development prospect in the world food industry.

L-malic acid contains natural emollient components, can easily dissolve the bond in the dry scaly dead cells between the “adhesive”, so that the skin surface wrinkles can be removed, so that the skin becomes tender white, smooth and elastic, so in the cosmetic formulations are highly favored; L-malic acid can be formulated with a variety of flavors and fragrances, used for L-malic acid can be used to formulate a variety of flavors and fragrances, and used in a variety of daily-use chemical products, such as toothpaste, shampoo, etc.; compared with citric acid, L-malic acid has a soft and chic acidity, so it is used in foreign countries as a new type of detergent auxiliaries instead of citric acid for the synthesis of high-grade special detergents.

L-malic acid can be used in the treatment of liver disease, anemia, low immunity, uremia, hypertension, liver failure and other diseases, and can reduce the toxic effects of anti-cancer drugs on normal cells; can also be used in the preparation and synthesis of insect repellents, anti-tartar agents.

2.Application in pharmaceutical industry

In a variety of tablets, syrups with malic acid can present a fruity flavor, and is conducive to absorption and diffusion in the body, it is often paired into the compound amino acid injection to improve the utilization of amino acids. Its sodium salt is an effective drug for the treatment of hepatic insufficiency, especially hypertension.Potassium L-malate is a good potassium supplement, which can keep the water balance of human body and treat edema, hypertension and lipodystrophy.

L-malic acid can be used in pharmaceutical preparations, tablets, syrups, and can also be formulated into amino acid solutions, which can significantly improve the absorption rate of amino acids; L-malic can be used in the treatment of liver disease, anemia, low immunity, uremia, hypertension, liver failure and other diseases, and can reduce the toxic effects of anticancer drugs on normal cells, and is also used in the preparation and synthesis of insect repellents, tartar-resistant It is also used in the preparation and synthesis of insect repellent and anti-tartar agent. In addition, L-malic acid can also be used as industrial cleaning agent, resin curing agent, synthetic material plasticizer, feed additives and so on.

3. Application in daily chemical industry

Zinc L-malate is used in toothpaste as an antibacterial plaque agent and anti-calculus agent, synthetic flavor formulations.

4. Chemical industry applications

It can be used as one of the synthetic raw materials for descaling agent and fluorescent whitening agent. It can be added to shellac varnish or other varnishes to prevent the varnish from crusting, and the polyester resin and alkyd resin produced with this acid are plastics with special uses.

5. Agriculture

In November 2022, Chinese scientists discovered that the selection of organic acids such as malic acid (flavor) is accomplished during watermelon improvement.

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