DL-Malic acid

Description

White or nearly white, crystalline powder or granules having a strongly acid taste. One g dissolves in 0.8 mL of water and in 1.4 mL of alcohol. Its solutions are optically inactive. It melts at about 130°.

Chemical properties

white crystalline powder

The Uses of DL-Malic acid

DL-malic acid is primarily used in the food and beverage industry.

Definition

ChEBI: Malic acid is a 2-hydroxydicarboxylic acid that is succinic acid in which one of the hydrogens attached to a carbon is replaced by a hydroxy group. It has a role as a food acidity regulator and a fundamental metabolite. It is a 2-hydroxydicarboxylic acid and a C4-dicarboxylic acid. It is functionally related to a succinic acid. It is a conjugate acid of a malate(2-) and a malate.

Flammability and Explosibility

Non flammable

Purification Methods

Crystallise the acid from acetone, then from acetone/CCl4, or from ethyl acetate by adding pet ether (b 60-70o). Dry it at 35o under 1mm pressure to avoid formation of the anhydride. [Beilstein 3 IV 1124.]