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

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Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1788, in the meaning defined above

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