L-Malic Acid by Anhui Huaheng Biotech

Malic acid is an organic compound with the molecular formula HO₂CCH(OH)CH₂CO₂H. It is a dicarboxylic acid found in all forms of life. Here are some key points about malic acid:

1. Natural Occurrence: Malic acid is made by all living organisms. It contributes to the sour taste of fruits and is commonly found in apples, giving them their characteristic flavor.
2. Stereoisomers: Malic acid has two stereoisomeric forms:
3. L-Malic acid: The naturally occurring form.
4. D-Malic acid: Produced synthetically.
5. Food Additive: Malic acid is used as a food additive.
6. Biochemical Roles:
7. In the C4 carbon fixation process, malate serves as a source of CO₂ in the Calvin cycle.
8. In the citric acid cycle, (S)-malate is an intermediate formed by adding an -OH group to fumarate.
9. It can also be synthesized from pyruvate via anaplerotic reactions.
10. In plant leaves, malate is synthesized by the carboxylation of phosphoenolpyruvate in guard cells.
11. Etymology: The word “malic” is derived from Latin “mālum”, meaning “apple”. This reflects its association with the characteristic flavor of apples and other fruits.