What is Malic Acid?

DL-Malic acid is a natural substance found in several different organic sources such as fruits and vegetables. Its content in apples is especially high, which is why it’s often being called "apple acid." Also called malate. DL-MALIC-ACIDis an intermediate product of the Krebs cycle and it is used in the flavoring and in the aging of wine. It is also naturally present in your body's cells and large amounts of it are formed and then eventually broken down again on a daily basis. It boasts of many health-related benefits such as strengthening immunity, maintaining oral health, reducing the risk of poisoning from a build-up of toxic metals and promoting smoother and firmer skin. Malic acid, as an ingredient, is added to several different products, including cosmetic formulations such as facial creams and peels, to help keep a balanced skin tone and to adjust the pH of the product. In cosmetics for example, Sodium malate is used as a skin moisturizing agent. Besides using malic acid for health benefits, malic acid is also sometimes added to processed foods to adjust the pH balance.

Malic acid contributes to the sourness of green apples. DL-MALIC-ACIDis present in grapes. It confers a tart taste to wine, although the amount decreases with increasing fruit ripeness. The process of malolactic fermentation converts malic acid to much milder lactic acid.when added to food products, is denoted by E number E296. Malic acid is the source of extreme tartness in so-called "extreme candy", for example Mega Warheads or Sour Punch candies. It is also used with or in place of the less sour citric acid in sour sweets such as Jolly Ranchers, Sweet Tarts and Salt & Vinegar flavor potato chips.