malic acid

noun

: a crystalline dicarboxylic acid C4H6O5
especially : the levorotatory isomer of malic acid that is found in various fruits (such as apples) and is formed as an intermediate in the Krebs cycle

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web The most common form of this acid is called L-malic acid. James Robinson, Discover Magazine, 20 Oct. 2022 These drops combine a mixture of AHAs, like natural malic acid and salicylic acid, along with brightening ingredients, like lemon and papaya, in order to create a natural, chemical-peel-like formula. Rachel Dube, Peoplemag, 17 Feb. 2023 This article will discuss how malic acid can benefit your teeth. James Robinson, Discover Magazine, 20 Oct. 2022 Having the following ingredients in your chosen face serum can be helpful: lactic acid, glycolic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, vitamin C and hyaluronic acid. Dallas News, 30 Nov. 2022 The resulting syrup is approximately 62% sucrose, 34% water, 3% glucose and fructose, and 0.5% malic acid, other acids, and traces amounts of amino acids. Elsbeth Sites, Discover Magazine, 1 Dec. 2015 But some sites actually recommended using strawberries to make a whitening paste with baking soda, claiming the berry's malic acid was a natural remedy. Morgan Hines, USA TODAY, 2 Aug. 2022 In this anaerobic environment, each berry metabolizes sugar and malic acid, producing a tiny amount of alcohol as well as compounds that translate into vivid aromas, flavors, and hues. Ellen Bhang, BostonGlobe.com, 7 June 2022 This clarifying gel-to-foam cleanser is packed with gentle exfoliators — grape ferment, grape extract, lactic acid, and malic acid — to bathe your skin in a frothy concoction that'll leave your skin refreshed, but not stripped. Sarah Han, Allure, 26 May 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'malic acid.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

French acide malique, ultimately from Latin malum apple, from Greek mēlon, malon

First Known Use

1788, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of malic acid was in 1788

Dictionary Entries Near malic acid

Cite this Entry

“Malic acid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/malic%20acid. Accessed 26 Mar. 2023.

Medical Definition

malic acid

noun
: any of three optical isomers of a crystalline dicarboxylic acid C4H6O5
especially : the one found in various plant juices and formed as an intermediate in the Krebs cycle

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