Food acidulant chemistry
Malic acid is used in acidulant and flavor formulation contexts. [3]
01
THE ESSENTIALS
Malic Acid in 30 Seconds
Two –COOH groups give two acid–base steps. The separate hydroxyl adds another functional group and a chiral center.
Malic acid combines two carboxyl groups with one hydroxyl on a four-carbon chain. The molecule is chiral, so the general name needs a DL, L, or D specification when buying. [1] [3]
Condensed connectivity schematic; see the specified stereochemical identity below. [1]
Formulation chemistry
Its acidity and complexing chemistry are used in specified formulations. [3]
Synthesis intermediates
A hydroxyl-bearing diacid starting material for specified ester and polymer chemistry.. [3]
Commercial availability
The supplier section separates package size, assay, grade, and market context for three named products. [4]
02
GO A LITTLE DEEPER
Understanding Malic Acid
THE SIMPLE EXPLANATION
The functional groups
Two –COOH groups give two acid–base steps. The separate hydroxyl adds another functional group and a chiral center. [1]
A LITTLE DEEPER
What the structure changes
The L form encountered in biochemical discussion and the DL products in this table should not be treated as the same stereochemical supply. This page’s principal identity and supplier set describe DL-malic acid. [1] [4] [5] [6]
Technical detail Identity, dissociation & specification
DL-malic acid uses CAS 6915-15-7. L-malic acid is CAS 97-67-6. A ≥99% chemical assay is not a claim of ≥99% enantiomeric purity. The pKa values shown retain the compiled OECD 112 test conditions. [1] [2] [4] [5] [6]
Acid–base reference values describe equilibria under specified conditions. They are not a substitute for a validated formulation or an assay on the purchased lot.
03
MAKE THE CONNECTION
How Malic Acid Compares
Similar names and functional groups do not mean interchangeable chemicals.
SIDE-BY-SIDE COMPARISON
Malic Acid vs Citric Acid
Hydroxydicarboxylic acid
versusHydroxytricarboxylic acid
Fixed comparison for this prototype. Acid selectors are disabled; additional comparisons are coming later.
| Property | Malic Acid | Citric Acid |
|---|---|---|
| Molecular formula | C₄H₆O₅ [1] | C₆H₈O₇ [7] |
| Molecular weight | 134.09 g/mol [1] | 192.12 g/mol [7] |
| Carbon atoms | 4 [1] | 6 [7] |
| Carboxyl groups | 2 [1] | 3 [7] |
| Structure | HOOC–CH₂–CH(OH)–COOH [1] | HOOC–CH₂–C(OH)(COOH)–CH₂–COOH [7] |
| Chemical family | Hydroxydicarboxylic acid [1] | Hydroxytricarboxylic acid [7] |
| Identity focus | Solid · DL identity [1] | Solid · anhydrous identity [7] |
| pKa context | 3.51 / 5.03 (20 °C; OECD 112) [2] | 3.13 / 4.76 / 6.4 (supplier reference) [11] |
Chemical identities are compared here; supplier grades, concentrations, and stereochemical specifications are separate purchasing attributes. pKa values retain their stated conditions; no quantitative solubility ranking is implied. The structure schematic does not encode stereochemistry.
When Might You Choose One Instead of the Other?
Use the specified malic stereoisomer in a malate-based procedure. Use citrate in a citrate-based formulation. Food or polymer development requires matching the application specification, not merely choosing the cheaper acid. [1] [3] [7]
Specified starting material
Malic Acid
Match HOOC–CH₂–CH(OH)–COOH and the method’s required chemical form.
Citric Acid
Match HOOC–CH₂–C(OH)(COOH)–CH₂–COOH; verify the identity before substituting a related acid.
Before choosing: match the reaction or formulation, then verify the exact form, grade, assay basis, and impurities. These contexts do not establish suitability for an industrial or regulated application.
04
FROM STRUCTURE TO APPLICATION
What Is Malic Acid Used For?
Food acidulant chemistry
Malic acid is used in acidulant and flavor formulation contexts. Verify stereochemistry and the required food-use specification separately from reagent assay. [3]
Formulation chemistry
Its acidity and complexing chemistry are used in specified formulations. Performance depends on chemical form and conditions. [3]
Synthesis intermediates
A hydroxyl-bearing diacid starting material for specified ester and polymer chemistry. [3]
06
SOURCE WITH CONTEXT
Malic Acid Suppliers
Compare specific products and package options. Listings are not ranked recommendations.
3 suppliers · 3 products · 6 package listingsLatest supplier check: October 3, 2026
Package sizes stay grouped under the supplier product. Assay methods, product forms, and regional markets remain visible. Specify DL, L, or D form and require stereochemical evidence when relevant.
Scroll horizontally if needed. Supplier and package identity stay visible.
| Supplier | Product / Grade | Purity / Assay | Package Size | Public Price | Normalized Price | Documentation | Last Checked | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sigma-AldrichMalic Acid | Check supplier · DL formM0875-100G | ≥98% (capillary GC) | 100 g | $53.40USD · US public price | Not comparedGrades, assay bases, or forms differ | COA lookup on product page (opens new tab)SDSCheck supplierCOO lookup on product page (opens new tab) Document notes: Sigma-Aldrich
| View Product: Sigma-Aldrich, M0875-100G (opens new tab) | |
| Check supplier · DL formM0875-500G | ≥98% (capillary GC) | 500 g | $68.10USD · US public price | Not comparedGrades, assay bases, or forms differ | View Product: Sigma-Aldrich, M0875-500G (opens new tab) | |||
| TCIMalic Acid | Check supplierM0020DL form · CAS 6915-15-7 | >99.0% (titration) | 25 g | $25.00USD · US public price | Not comparedGrades, assay bases, or forms differ | Document notes: TCI
| View Product: TCI, M0020 (opens new tab) | |
| Check supplierM0020DL form · CAS 6915-15-7 | >99.0% (titration) | 500 g | $32.00USD · US public price | Not comparedGrades, assay bases, or forms differ | View Product: TCI, M0020 (opens new tab) | |||
| FUJIFILM WakoMalic Acid | Wako Special Grade · DL form135-00562 | ≥99.0% (titration) | 25 g | $18.00USD · US list price | Not comparedGrades, assay bases, or forms differ | Document notes: FUJIFILM Wako
| View Product: FUJIFILM Wako, 135-00562 (opens new tab) | |
| Wako Special Grade · DL form139-00565 | ≥99.0% (titration) | 500 g | $24.00USD · US list price | Not comparedGrades, assay bases, or forms differ | View Product: FUJIFILM Wako, 139-00565 (opens new tab) |
Sigma-Aldrich
Malic Acid
Check supplier · DL form
100 g
M0875-100G- Public price
- $53.40USD · US public price
- Normalized price
- Not comparedGrades, assay bases, or forms differ
500 g
M0875-500G- Public price
- $68.10USD · US public price
- Normalized price
- Not comparedGrades, assay bases, or forms differ
Documentation
COA lookup on product page (opens new tab)SDSCheck supplierCOO lookup on product page (opens new tab)
Document notes: Sigma-Aldrich
- A product-specific certificate retrieval option was visible; no lot certificate was reviewed. Open the product page and use its certificate section.
- A current regional SDS was not verified in this pass.
- A product-specific Certificate of Origin retrieval option was visible; no origin certificate was reviewed. Country of origin is unverified and is not inferred.
Last checked:
TCI
Malic Acid
Check supplier
DL form · CAS 6915-15-7
25 g
M0020- Public price
- $25.00USD · US public price
- Normalized price
- Not comparedGrades, assay bases, or forms differ
500 g
M0020- Public price
- $32.00USD · US public price
- Normalized price
- Not comparedGrades, assay bases, or forms differ
Documentation
Document notes: TCI
- A product-specific certificate retrieval option was visible; no lot certificate was reviewed. Open the product page and use its certificate section.
- A current regional SDS was not verified in this pass.
- Origin-document availability was not verified. Country of origin is unverified and is not inferred.
Last checked:
FUJIFILM Wako
Malic Acid
Wako Special Grade · DL form
25 g
135-00562- Public price
- $18.00USD · US list price
- Normalized price
- Not comparedGrades, assay bases, or forms differ
500 g
139-00565- Public price
- $24.00USD · US list price
- Normalized price
- Not comparedGrades, assay bases, or forms differ
Documentation
Document notes: FUJIFILM Wako
- A product-specific certificate retrieval option was visible; no lot certificate was reviewed. Open the product page and use its certificate section.
- A current regional SDS was not verified in this pass.
- Origin-document availability was not verified. Country of origin is unverified and is not inferred.
Last checked:
Documentation evidence
COA = Certificate of Analysis · SDS = Safety Data Sheet · COO = Certificate of Origin.
Lookup means a retrieval option was visible, not that a lot certificate was reviewed. Check supplier means availability or the applicable document was not verified.
Prices may vary by quantity, account, contract, geography, and availability. These products have different grades, assay bases, or forms; no normalized comparison is shown. Foreign-market prices are reference listings only. No currency conversion, mass-to-volume conversion, or ranking is applied. Confirm equivalent specifications and a current quote before comparison. [4] [5] [6]
Verification limits & placement policy
General “malic acid” naming can conceal stereochemistry. Do not compare a dissolution test with a saturation-solubility value.
Only the displayed identity, specification, packages, public prices and stated documentation evidence were reviewed. Current stock, lead times, shipping eligibility, contract pricing, lot certificates, and regulatory suitability are unverified.
There are no paid placements. Future paid listings will show “Sponsored” in both views; payment will not determine chemistry interpretation or imply a ranking.
07
PLAN A LARGER ORDER
Need Malic Acid in Bulk?
Turn your requirements into a clear supplier brief.
Bulk RFQ feature — coming soon. Prototype form: submissions are not currently sent to suppliers. Use sample details to prepare an on-screen brief.
Prepare a bulk request Prototype form
08
A BUYER’S CHECKLIST
Before You Buy Malic Acid
Selections remain only while this page is open.
09
FOR YOUR REFERENCE
Malic Acid Technical Reference
Identity, product reference properties, and handling context.
Identification Names, formula & identifiers
- Principal CAS
- 6915-15-7
- Identity focus
- Solid · DL identity
- Formula
- C₄H₆O₅
- Molecular weight
- 134.09 g/mol
- IUPAC name
- 2-hydroxybutanedioic acid
- Connectivity SMILES
- C(C(C(=O)O)O)C(=O)O
- PubChem CID
- 525
Connectivity SMILES describes connectivity; it is not an independent stereochemical assignment. CAS and product-form distinctions are supported by the supplier listings. [1] [4] [5] [6]
Physical Properties Product references & conditions
TCI reports a solid melting at 130 °C and water solubility 558 g/L at 20 °C. Sigma’s 50 mg/mL entry is a dissolution test, not a maximum-solubility measurement. [4] [5] [6]
Hydrate, concentration, stereoisomer, and temperature can change the relevant specification. Product reference data are not a reviewed lot certificate.
Acid/Base Properties Verified values & missing data
Reference pKa: 3.51 / 5.03 (20 °C; OECD 112). [2]
General “malic acid” naming can conceal stereochemistry. Do not compare a dissolution test with a saturation-solubility value.
Temperature, ionic strength, and the use of activities versus concentrations matter in quantitative work. These reference values are not buffer recipes.
Safety Product-specific SDS
Review the current SDS for the exact product.
Match chemical form, concentration, region, and product code. Use its handling, storage, incompatibility, first-aid and disposal guidance alongside the workplace risk assessment.
A current regional SDS remains to be verified; the supplier documentation field says Check supplier. This profile is not a substitute for that document.
Review supplier documentation10
COMMON QUESTIONS
Malic Acid FAQ
What distinguishes Malic Acid?
Two –COOH groups give two acid–base steps. The separate hydroxyl adds another functional group and a chiral center. [1]
How does it differ from Citric Acid?
Citric acid adds a third carboxyl group and has a different six-carbon framework. Malic acid has a stereocenter; its product form matters even when both acids are considered as acidulants. [7]
What must a buyer specify?
Specify DL, L, or D form and require stereochemical evidence when relevant. [4]
Are the listed products directly price-comparable?
No. The table retains differing grades, assay bases, forms, and markets. No normalized ranking or currency conversion is applied. [5]
What reference data still need checking?
General “malic acid” naming can conceal stereochemistry. Do not compare a dissolution test with a saturation-solubility value. [6]
Can I request a bulk quote here?
The RFQ is a prototype that prepares an on-screen brief. Nothing is sent to suppliers. Confirm actual bulk terms directly with the supplier. [4]
11
TRACE THE INFORMATION
Sources & Editorial Notes
Identity and compiled reference values are separated from supplier-specific specifications. Structural comparisons and buyer guidance are editorial interpretation. Sources were checked October 3, 2026; supplier information can change.
- PubChem · chemical identity (opens new tab)
Official PUG REST identity record: formula, molecular weight, IUPAC name, and connectivity SMILES.
- PubChem · dissociation references (opens new tab)
Compiled reference entries; their methods and conditions matter. Citric acid’s displayed stepwise values are from the linked Sigma specification.
- PubChem · applications (opens new tab)
Compiled application references; uses of derivatives are distinguished from direct use of the acid.
- Sigma-Aldrich · commercial product (opens new tab)
Direct product listing checked October 3, 2026. Product-specific grade, assay, package, public price and documentation retrieval evidence.
- TCI · commercial product (opens new tab)
Direct product listing checked October 3, 2026. Product-specific grade, assay, package, public price and documentation retrieval evidence.
- FUJIFILM Wako · commercial product (opens new tab)
Direct product listing checked October 3, 2026. Product-specific grade, assay, package, public price and documentation retrieval evidence.
- Citric Acid · identity (opens new tab)
Primary comparison identity. Explanations of structural differences are editorial interpretation of verified identities.
- Tartaric Acid · identity (opens new tab)
Related chemical identity; relevance is based on structure or the stated application relationship.
- Fumaric Acid · identity (opens new tab)
Related chemical identity; relevance is based on structure or the stated application relationship.
- Succinic Acid · identity (opens new tab)
Related chemical identity; relevance is based on structure or the stated application relationship.
- Citric Acid · acid–base reference (opens new tab)
The primary comparison’s pKa source; reference conditions are preserved.
- OpenStax · Citric acid cycle (opens new tab)
Succinate and fumarate in the citric acid cycle; salts/ions are distinguished from purchased free acids.
Review limits
General “malic acid” naming can conceal stereochemistry. Do not compare a dissolution test with a saturation-solubility value.
This informational prototype is not a supplier, quotation service, or endorsement of a product’s fitness for an application. Buyers should verify the applicable specification, certification, and regulatory requirements for their intended use.