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Acidulants and acidity regulators

Malic acid

Also known as 2-Hydroxybutanedioic acid, hydroxysuccinic acid, Butanedioic acid, hydroxy-

CAS 6915-15-7Formula C4H6O5Molar mass 134.09 g/molEC 210-514-9
GHS signal word: Danger. Pictograms: Corrosive, Harmful or irritant 341 suppliers listed Drug substance
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Malic acid chemical structure, C4H6O5, CAS 6915-15-7
2D chemical structure

Key facts

What buyers check first

All properties
Appearance
Colorless crystals
Melting point
131 ยฐC
Boiling point
>225
Density
1.601 g/ cmยณ at 20 ยฐC
Solubility
In water, 55.8 g/100 g water at 20 ยฐC
HS code
291819
Category
Acidulants and acidity regulators
Illustrative photo, colourless crystals in an open woven sack in a warehouse
Typical packagingIllustrative packaging image, not the actual product

What is Malic acid?

Plain description, key identifiers and synonyms

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.

Identifiers

Registry numbers, names and line notations, tap to copy

IUPAC name
2-hydroxybutanedioic acid
CAS number
6915-15-7 CAS number cross-checkedOther or deprecated CAS: 617-48-1, 97-67-6
EC numbers
210-514-9, 230-022-8
Molecular formula
C4H6O5
UNII
817L1N4CKP
MDL number
MFCD00064212
InChIKey
BJEPYKJPYRNKOW-UHFFFAOYSA-N
InChI
InChI=1S/C4H6O5/c5-2(4(8)9)1-3(6)7/h2,5H,1H2,(H,6,7)(H,8,9)
SMILES (canonical and isomeric)
C(C(C(=O)O)O)C(=O)O

Synonyms

  • 2-Hydroxybutanedioic acid
  • hydroxysuccinic acid
  • Butanedioic acid, hydroxy-
  • Malic acid, DL-
  • Kyselina jablecna
  • hydroxybutanedioic acid
  • Pomalus acid
  • alpha-Hydroxysuccinic acid
  • Deoxytetraric acid
  • Hydroxybutandisaeure
  • Monohydroxybernsteinsaeure
  • Succinic acid, hydroxy-
  • (+-)-Malic acid
  • Malicum acidum
  • Pomalous acid
  • d,l-malic acid
  • 2-Hydroxyethane-1,2-dicarboxylic acid
  • Kyselina hydroxybutandiova
  • (+-)-Hydroxysuccinic acid
  • INS NO.296
  • INS NO. 296
  • butanedioic acid, 2-hydroxy-
  • hydron, 2-hydroxybutanedioate
  • Malic Acid 1524
  • Mooyam aha bha face serum
Show all 36 synonyms
  • DL-malic acid
  • malate
  • 2-Hydroxysuccinic acid
  • DL-2-hydroxybutanedioic acid
  • dl-Hydroxybutanedioic acid
  • Musashi-no-Ringosan
  • R,S(+-)-Malic acid
  • FDA 2018
  • Hydroxy Succinic Acid
  • Apple acid
  • (+/-)-Malic acid

Physical and chemical properties

Measured values and descriptors computed from the structure

Physical and chemical properties

Measured values, check the supplier specification for your grade

Appearance
Colorless crystalsexp.
Odour
Characteristicexp.
Taste
Smoothly tartexp.
Melting point
131 ยฐCexp.
Boiling point
>225exp.
Density
1.601 g/ cmยณ at 20 ยฐCexp.
Solubility
In water, 55.8 g/100 g water at 20 ยฐCexp.
Vapour pressure
3.28 ร— 10โปโธ mm Hg at 25 ยฐC (extrapolated)exp.

Values vary by grade. Ask suppliers for the COA or TDS of the batch you buy.

Computed descriptors

Calculated from the structure, useful for screening and formulation

Molecular weight
134.09 g/molcalc.
Exact mass
134.0215 Dacalc.
LogP (octanol/water)
-1.09calc.
Topological polar surface area
94.83 ร…ยฒcalc.
Hydrogen bond donors
3calc.
Hydrogen bond acceptors
3calc.
Rotatable bonds
3calc.
Heavy atoms
9calc.
Rings
0calc.
Aromatic rings
0calc.
Fraction sp3 carbons
0.5calc.
Formal charge
0calc.
Stereocentres
1calc.
Lipinski rule of five
Passes (0 violations)calc.

Calculated for screening. Confirm critical figures with the supplier.

Safety and hazards

GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet

GHS signal word
Danger
GHS05: Corrosive
Corrosive
GHS07: Harmful or irritant
Harmful or irritant

Hazard statements

  • H315Causes skin irritation.
  • H318Causes serious eye damage.
  • H319Causes serious eye irritation.
Precautionary statements (11)
  • P264Wash skin thoroughly after handling.
  • P264 + P265Wash skin thoroughly after handling. Do not touch eyes.
  • P280Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
  • P302 + P352If on skin: Wash with plenty of water.
  • P305 + P351 + P338If in eyes: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
  • P305 + P354 + P338If in eyes: Immediately rinse with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
  • P317Get medical help.
  • P321Specific treatment (see supplemental first aid instructions on the label).
  • P332 + P317If skin irritation occurs: Get medical help.
  • P337 + P317If eye irritation persists: Get medical help.
  • P362 + P364Take off contaminated clothing. And wash it before reuse.

GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet (SDS). Classifications can differ by supplier, grade and concentration. Always check the supplier's SDS.

Full safety data and first aid

Malic acid suppliers

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All 341 suppliers
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Where suppliers are based

341 suppliers in 52 countries

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Malic acid price

Indicative price range per kg from live supplier offers

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Uses and applications

What the substance is used for, by industry and function

The active ingredient is no longer contained in any registered pesticide product ... "cancelled.".

Intermediate in chemical synthesis. Chelating and buffering agent. Flavoring agent, flavor enhancer and acidulant in foods.

Manufacture of various esters and salts, wine manufacture, chelating agent, food acidulant, flavoring.

Industrial uses: Intermediate, Chelating agent, Etching agent, Other, Flavoring and nutrient, pH regulating agent, Plating agent.

Consumer uses: Flavoring and nutrient.

Use classes: Processing Aids and Additives, Safer Chemical Classes, Food additives, Cosmetics.

Roles

  • additive
  • food acidity regulator
  • food additive
  • food component
  • fundamental metabolite
  • metabolite
  • physiological role

Functional uses

  • Chelating agent
  • Flavouring and nutrient
  • Fragrance
  • Processing aids not otherwise specified
  • pH regulating agent

How it is made

Dl-Malic acid is mfr by hydrating maleic and fumaric acids in presence of suitable catalysts & separating malic acid from equilibrium product mixture. In US ... continuous process which is much more economical than older batch type. (dl-Malic acid)

By hydration of maleic acid, by fermentation from sugars. (l-Malic acid)

Microbial production of l-form

Regulatory status

Inventories, regulations and trade controls that list this substance

United States

  • Safer Choice ingredient list (USA)
  • TSCA inventory (USA)
    Status: Active in US commerce

Health and food

  • Active ingredient in FDA approved drug labels
  • Food additive

HS code and trade data

Customs classification and reported world trade statistics

Global trade

World import and export statistics for the HS code Malic acid is traded under.

HS 2918.19Indicative HS code

Carboxylic acids with alcohol function but without other oxygen function, theirโ€ฆ

World exports in 2024
$1.37B
+0.5% vs 2023, imports $1.18B
2019 to 2024
Top exporters
  1. China23.7%
  2. Italy14.7%
  3. India * partner reported12.0%
Top importers
  1. Germany11.7%
  2. South Korea9.8%
  3. Italy9.6%

* Partner reported figures, a lower bound.

Reported customs values in USD, not prices.Full trade data

The HS code shown for Malic acid is indicative (it was assigned by structure rules). Confirm the classification with your customs broker before shipping.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Malic acid, based on the data on this page

What is Malic acid?

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.

What is the CAS number of Malic acid?

The CAS registry number of Malic acid is 6915-15-7. Other or deprecated CAS numbers: 617-48-1, 97-67-6.

What is the molecular formula and weight of Malic acid?

The molecular formula of Malic acid is C4H6O5 and its molar mass is 134.09 g/mol.

What is Malic acid used for?

The active ingredient is no longer contained in any registered pesticide product ... "cancelled.". Intermediate in chemical synthesis. Chelating and buffering agent. Flavoring agent, flavor enhancer and acidulant in foods.

Is Malic acid hazardous?

Malic acid carries the GHS signal word "Danger". Main hazards: causes skin irritation, causes serious eye damage, causes serious eye irritation. This summary is not an SDS, always read the supplier safety data sheet.

What is the HS code of Malic acid?

Malic acid is usually classified under HS code 291819 (Carboxylic acids with alcohol function but without other oxygen function, theirโ€ฆ). This is indicative, confirm it with your customs broker before shipping.

Where can I buy Malic acid?

CompoundList lists 341 suppliers of Malic acid in United States, China, India, United Kingdom and 48 more. Send one free request to get and compare quotes. Your contact details stay private until you accept a quote.

Where can I buy Malic acid in India?

39 suppliers in India list Malic acid on CompoundList. Filter the suppliers list by country and send a request to compare prices, grades and delivery times.

What is the price of Malic acid?

Suppliers quote Malic acid on request because prices depend on grade, purity, quantity and destination. A free request on CompoundList gets you several quotes to compare.

Guides for buyers

Practical guides that help when you source, ship or handle Malic acid

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Data last updated 7 Oct 2026. Details may have changed, please confirm them with the supplier. Report an error on this page
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