Disodium malate, CAS 676-46-0

Disodium malate is a C4 dicarboxylate salt of malic acid. Malic acid is an important intermediate in the tricarboxylic acid or Krebs cycle and is popularly associated with apple tartness because it exists in high concentration in apples. Malate, the salt form of malic acid, also known as 2-hydroxy succinate or 2-hydroxybutanediate, has a 2-hydroxyl moiety that qualifies it as alpha hydroxy acid. Because of these attributes, disodium malate has several high value biological, biochemical, and chemical applications. For instance, disodium malate is used as a color fixative, metal cleaner, metal finisher, descaling agent, and fluorescent whitening agent, pH adjuster, humectant, feed additive, preservative, rock salt substitute, anti-crusting aid, sequestrant, etc.