L-Malic acid is nearly odorless (sometimes a faint, acrid odor) with a tart, acidic taste. It is nonpungent. May be prepared by hydration of maleic acid; by fermentation from sugars.
In Food:
L-malic acid is an important component of natural fruit juice. Compared with citric acid, L-malic acid has high acidity (sour taste is 20% stronger than citric acid), but it tastes soft (with high buffer index), has special flavor, does not damage mouth and teeth, is metabolically conducive to amino acid absorption and does not accumulate fat. It is a new generation of food sour agent.
In Pharmaceutical:
L-Malic acid in various tablets and syrups can present fruit flavor and is conducive to absorption and diffusion in the body. It is often mixed with compound amino acid injection to improve the utilization of amino acids. Its sodium salt is an effective drug for the treatment of liver dysfunction, especially hypertension. Potassium L-malate is a good potassium supplement. It can maintain the water balance of the human body and treat edema, hypertension and fat accumulation.
In Daily chemical industry
Zinc L-malate is used in toothpaste as antibacterial spot agent, anti calculus agent, synthetic perfume formula, etc.
In Chemical industry
It can be used as one of the synthetic raw materials of descaling agent and fluorescent whitening agent. When added to shellac varnish or other varnishes, the paint surface can be prevented from scaling. The polyester resin and alkyd resin produced with this kind of acid are plastics with special purposes.