Fumaric acid

Description

Fumaric acid has been used as a common food additive included in many processed foods to keep them stable and to add tartness since 1946. The substance has a more sour flavor than citric acid, another common food additive. Fumaric acid occurs naturally in fumitory, bolete mushrooms, lichen and Iceland moss. As an additive, fumaric acid is produced synthetically, mainly from malic acid from apples. Fumaric acid as an additive is regulated under the Codex Alimentarius General Standard for Food Additives (GSFA), a collection of internationally recognized standards.

Chemical properties

Fumaric acid is naturally presented in Corydalis, mushrooms and fresh beef. Product precipitated from the water is monoclinic needle-like, prismatic or leaf-like white crystalline or crystalline powder. It is odorless with a special and strong sour, which is about 1.5 times that of the citric acid. It has a melting point 287 ° C, the boiling point of 290 ° C with subjecting to sublimation at temperature above 200 ° C. When being heated to 230 ° C, it will lose water and become maleic anhydride. Its co-boiling with water can produce DL-malic acid. It is soluble in ethanol, slightly soluble in water and ether, but insoluble in chloroform. The pH value of the 3% aqueous solution is 2.0 to 2.5 with a strong buffering performance, in order to maintain the pH of the aqueous solution at around 3.0. This product is non-toxic; rat-oral LD50: 8000mg/kg.

Chemical properties

Fumaric acid is a colorless to white, odorless crystalline powder. Fruity-acidic taste.

Chemical properties

Fumaric acid occurs as white, odorless or nearly odorless, granules or as a crystalline powder that is virtually nonhygroscopic.

Chemical properties

White, odorless granules or crystalline powder. It is soluble in alcohol, slightly soluble in water and in ether, and very slightly soluble in chloroform.
Fumaric acid is used as a replacement for tartaric acid. It has an odorless, tart, acidic-sour flavor. It may be synthesized by the action of certain fungi (Rhizopus nigricans) on glucose; by oxidation of furfural with sodium chlorate in the presence of vanadium pentoxide.

Chemical properties

Fumaric acid is odorless with a tart, acidic-sour favor Fumaric acid is used as a replacement of tartaric acid.

Occurrence

Reported found in several plants, Fumaria offcinalis L , Boletus scaber Boll and lean raw fsh

The Uses of Fumaric acid

Fumaric acid is an important kind of organic chemical raw materials as well as the intermediate of fine chemical products. Meanwhile, it is also an important kind of derivatives of maleic anhydride, being widely used in food, coatings, resins and plasticizers. In the food industry, fumaric acid, used as souring agent, can be applied to soft drinks, western-style wine, cold drinks, fruit juice concentrate, canned fruit, pickles and ice cream. As an acidic substance used as solid beverage gas production agent, it has excellent bubble durability with delicate product organization.

The Uses of Fumaric acid

Occurs in many plants. Essential to vegetable and tissue respiration. Used as an antioxidant.
Fumaric acid is used in food products as an acidifier with an acid type of taste that blends particularly well with caramellic or sugarsweetened products, baked products, etc.

The Uses of Fumaric acid

fumaric acid is used to add fragrance to products and to decrease product pH. It can also help keep the pH stable. It is generally used in cleansers. Fumaric acid is naturally occurring in plants, such as lichen and Iceland moss, and in animals. For example, the skin produces fumaric acid when exposed to light. It can also F be synthetically manufactured.

The Uses of Fumaric acid

Fumaric Acid is an acidulant that is a nonhygroscopic, strong acid of poor solubility. it has a solubility of 0.63 g in 100 ml of distilled water at 25°c. it dissolves slowly in cold water, but if mixed with dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate its solubility improves. the solubility rate also increases with smaller particle size. a quantity of 0.317 kg of can replace 0.453 kg of citric acid. it is used in dry mixes such as desserts, pie fillings, and candy. it is used in dry bever- age mixes because it is storage stable, free flowing, and nonhygro- scopic. it functions as a synergistic antioxidant with bha and bht in oiland lard-base products. in gelatin desserts, it improves the flavor stability and increases shelf life and gel strength.

Definition

ChEBI: A butenedioic acid in which the C2C double bond has E geometry. It is an intermediate metabolite in the citric acid cycle.

Production Methods

Commercially, fumaric acid may be prepared from glucose by the action of fungi such as Rhizopus nigricans, as a by-product in the manufacture of maleic and phthalic anhydrides, and by the isomerization of maleic acid using heat or a catalyst.
On the laboratory scale, fumaric acid can be prepared by the oxidation of furfural with sodium chlorate in the presence of vanadium pentoxide.

Definition

Either of two isomers. Transbutenedioic acid (fumaric acid) is a crystalline compound found in certain plants. Cisbutenedioic acid (maleic acid) is used in the manufacture of synthetic resins. It can be converted into the trans isomer by heating at 120°C.

Definition

Butenedioic Acid: Either of two isomers with the formula HCOOHC:CHCOOH. Both compounds can be regarded as derivatives of ethene in which a hydrogenatom on each carbon has been replaced by a –COOH group. The compounds show cis–trans isomerism.The trans form is fumaric acid (r.d.1.64; sublimes at 165°C) and the cisform is maleic acid (r.d. 1.59; m.p.139–140°C). Both are colourless crystalline compounds used in making synthetic resins. The cis form is rather less stable than the trans form and converts to the trans form at120°C. Unlike the trans form it can eliminate water on heating to form acyclic anhydride containing a–CO.O.CO– group (maleic anhydride).Fumaric acid is an intermediate in the Krebs cycle.

Preparation

By the action of certain fungi (Rhizopus nigricans) on glucose; by oxidation of furfural with sodium chlorate in the pres- ence of vanadium pentoxide.

Biotechnological Production

Currently, fumaric acid is mainly manufactured by chemical synthesis via the precursor maleic acid, which is produced using either benzene or n-butane via catalytic oxidation. However, there are enzymatic and fermentative production routes for fumaric acid. Prior to the advent of inexpensive petroleumbased chemistry, fumaric acid was produced commercially by fermentation using organisms of the genus Rhizopus with an annual production of 4,000 metric tons . Product concentrations from 30 to 130 g.L-1 with yields from 0.3 to 1.0 g of fumaric acid per gram of glucose and productivities of 0.46–2.0 g.L-1.h-1 have been reported growing on glucose .
In recent years, new approaches using metabolic engineering have been studied. For example, fumaric acid concentrations of 28.2 g.L-1 with a productivity of 0.448 g.L-1.h-1 have been reached in fed-batch cultivation of a genetic modified E. coli . To achieve this result, eight modifications have been implemented.
Fumaric acid could be alternatively synthesized by an enzymatic process starting from maleic acid as in the chemical synthesis. By whole-cell biocatalysis of the Pseudomonas alcaligenes strain XD-1, a yield of 0.698 g of fumaric acid per gram of maleic acid and a production rate of 6.98 g.L-1.h-1 have been reached . The process has been optimized. The formation of the byproduct malic acid was avoided due to an inactivation of fumarase by a heat treatment of the cells beforehand. Finally, a yield of 0.95 g fumaric acid per gram maleic acid and a production rate of 14.25 g.L-1.h-1 have been observed.

General Description

A colorless crystalline solid. The primary hazard is the threat to the environment. Immediate steps should be taken to limit spread to the environment. Combustible, though may be difficult to ignite. Used to make paints and plastics, in food processing and preservation, and for other uses.

Air & Water Reactions

Slightly soluble in water.

Reactivity Profile

Fumaric acid is a carboxylic acid. Carboxylic acids donate hydrogen ions if a base is present to accept them. They react in this way with all bases, both organic (for example, the amines) and inorganic. Their reactions with bases, called "neutralizations", are accompanied by the evolution of substantial amounts of heat. Neutralization between an acid and a base produces water plus a salt. Carboxylic acids with six or fewer carbon atoms are freely or moderately soluble in water; those with more than six carbons are slightly soluble in water. Soluble carboxylic acid dissociate to an extent in water to yield hydrogen ions. The pH of solutions of carboxylic acids is therefore less than 7.0. Many insoluble carboxylic acids react rapidly with aqueous solutions containing a chemical base and dissolve as the neutralization generates a soluble salt. Carboxylic acids in aqueous solution and liquid or molten carboxylic acids can react with active metals to form gaseous hydrogen and a metal salt. Such reactions occur in principle for solid carboxylic acids as well, but are slow if the solid acid remains dry. Even "insoluble" carboxylic acids may absorb enough water from the air and dissolve sufficiently in Fumaric acid to corrode or dissolve iron, steel, and aluminum parts and containers. Carboxylic acids, like other acids, react with cyanide salts to generate gaseous hydrogen cyanide. The reaction is slower for dry, solid carboxylic acids. Insoluble carboxylic acids react with solutions of cyanides to cause the release of gaseous hydrogen cyanide. Flammable and/or toxic gases and heat are generated by the reaction of carboxylic acids with diazo compounds, dithiocarbamates, isocyanates, mercaptans, nitrides, and sulfides. Carboxylic acids, especially in aqueous solution, also react with sulfites, nitrites, thiosulfates (to give H2S and SO3), dithionites (SO2), to generate flammable and/or toxic gases and heat. Their reaction with carbonates and bicarbonates generates a harmless gas (carbon dioxide) but still heat. Like other organic compounds, carboxylic acids can be oxidized by strong oxidizing agents and reduced by strong reducing agents. These reactions generate heat. A wide variety of products is possible. Like other acids, carboxylic acids may initiate polymerization reactions; like other acids, they often catalyze (increase the rate of) chemical reactions. Partial carbonization and formation of maleic anhydride occur at 446° F (open vessel).

Health Hazard

Inhalation of dust may cause respiratory irritation. Compound is non-toxic when ingested. Prolonged contact with eyes or skin may cause irritation.

Flammability and Explosibility

Non flammable

Pharmaceutical Applications

Fumaric acid is used primarily in liquid pharmaceutical preparations as an acidulant and flavoring agent. Fumaric acid may be included as the acid part of effervescent tablet formulations, although this use is limited as the compound has an extremely low solubility in water. It is also used as a chelating agent which exhibits synergism when used in combination with other true antioxidants.
In the design of novel pelletized formulations manufactured by extrusion–spheronization, fumaric acid was used to aid spheronization, favoring the production of fine pellets. It has also been investigated as an alternative filler to lactose in pellets.
Fumaric acid has been investigated as a lubricant for effervescent tablets, and copolymers of fumaric acid and sebacic acid have been investigated as bioadhesive microspheres.It has been used in film-coated pellet formulations as an acidifying agent and also to increase drug solubility.
Fumaric acid is also used as a food additive at concentrations up to 3600 ppm, and as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of psoriasis and other skin disorders.

Safety Profile

Poison by intraperitoneal route. Mildly toxic by ingestion and skin contact. A skin and eye irritant. Mutation data reported. Combustible when exposed to heat or flame; can react vigorously with oxidizing materials. When heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes.

Safety

Fumaric acid is used in oral pharmaceutical formulations and food products, and is generally regarded as a relatively nontoxic and nonirritant material. However, acute renal failure and other adverse reactions have occurred following the topical and systemic therapeutic use of fumaric acid and fumaric acid derivatives in the treatment of psoriasis or other skin disorders. Other adverse effects of oral therapy have included disturbances of liver function, gastrointestinal effects, and flushing.
The WHO has stated that the establishment of an estimated acceptable daily intake of fumaric acid or its salts was unnecessary since it is a normal constituent of body tissues.
LD50 (mouse, IP): 0.1 g/kg
LD50 (rat, oral): 9.3 g/kg

Potential Exposure

Fumaric acid is used in production of resins, polyesters, plasticizers, and alkyl surface coatings; as a food additive; as an antioxidant in resins; to make dyes.

First aid

If this chemical gets into the eyes, remove anycontact lenses at once and irrigate immediately for atleast 15 min, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids.Seek medical attention immediately. If this chemical contacts the skin, remove contaminated clothing and washimmediately with soap and water. Seek medical attentionimmediately. If this chemical has been inhaled, removefrom exposure, begin rescue breathing (using universalprecautions, including resuscitation mask) if breathing hasstopped and CPR if heart action has stopped. Transferpromptly to a medical facility. When this chemical hasbeen swallowed, get medical attention. Give large quantities of water and induce vomiting. Do not make anunconscious person vomit.

Carcinogenicity

No evidence of carcinogenicity was found in several chronic studies with rats in which fumaric acid was added to the diet at concentrations up to 1.5%. As for dermal application, Swiss mice were treated topically twice weekly with a 1% solution in acetone (volume not specified). Moderate focal hyperplasia was found in the treated group, but no tumors developed.
The inhibitory effect of fumaric acid on hepatocarcinogenesis was examined in male IBR mice fed 0.035% thioacetamide in the diet for 40 weeks and then fed a basal diet for 48 weeks. The inhibitory effect of 1% fumaric acid in the basal diet on thioacetamide carcinogenesis was so marked that no hepatic carcinomas were found in any of the 15 animals fed fumaric acid in combination with thioacetamide . Similar inhibitory effects of fumaric acid on forestomach and lung carcinogenesis in mice (that resulted from exposure to potassium naphthyridine-3-carboxylate) have been identified.

storage

Fumaric acid is stable although it is subject to degradation by both aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms. When heated in sealed vessels with water at 150–170°C it forms DL-malic acid.
The bulk material should be stored in a well-closed container in a cool, dry place.

Purification Methods

Crystallise it from hot M HCl or water and dry it at 100o. [Beilstein 2 IV 2202.]

Incompatibilities

Dust cloud from powder or granular form mixed with air can explode. Incompatible with oxidi zers (chlorates, nitrates, peroxides, permanganates, perchlo rates, chlorine, bromine, fluorine, etc.); contact may cause fires or explosions. Keep away from alkaline materials, strong bases, strong acids, oxoacids, epoxides, sulfuric acid, caustics, ammonia, amines, isocyanates, alkylene oxi des; epichlorohydrin. Decomposes above 350℃ forming toxic fumes of maleic anhydride.

Incompatibilities

Fumaric acid undergoes reactions typical of an organic acid.

Waste Disposal

Use a licensed professional waste disposal service to dispose of this material. Dissolve or mix the material with a combustible solvent and burn in a chemical incinerator equipped with an afterburner and scrubber. All federal, state, and local environmental regula tions must be observed.

Regulatory Status

GRAS listed. Accepted for use as a food additive in Europe. Included in the FDA Inactive Ingredients Database (oral capsules, suspensions, syrups, extended release and sustained action chewable tablets). Included in the Canadian List of Acceptable Nonmedicinal Ingredients.