malic acid


nounChemistry.
  1. a colorless, crystalline, water-soluble solid, C4H6O5, occurring in apples and other fruits and as an intermediate in animal metabolism.

Origin of malic acid

1
First recorded in 1790–1800

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How to use malic acid in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for malic acid

malic acid

/ (ˈmælɪk, ˈmeɪ-) /


noun
  1. a colourless crystalline compound occurring in apples and other fruits. Formula: HOOCCH 2 CH(OH)COOH

Origin of malic acid

1
C18 malic, via French malique from Latin mālum apple

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for malic acid

malic acid

[ mălĭk, mālĭk ]


  1. A colorless, crystalline compound that occurs naturally in a wide variety of unripe fruits, including apples, cherries, and tomatoes, and is an intermediate product of the Krebs cycle. It is used as a flavoring and in the aging of wine. Also called malate. Chemical formula: C4H6O5.

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