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Food Grade · CAS 6915-15-7 · E296

Malic Acid Supplier — Bulk Food Grade DL-Malic Acid Powder and Granular

Malic acid (C4H6O5, E296) is the fruit acid that gives apples their tartness. Food manufacturers use it to lower pH and deliver a smooth, lingering sourness in beverages, sour candy and reduced-sugar products. Captain Drake supplies food grade DL-malic acid to FCC specification as powder and granular, by the pallet and the truckload. It is a plant-delivered raw material, not a retail product.
Get Bulk Pricing
CAS No.
6915-15-7
E-Number
E296
Grades
FCC
Min. order
2,250 lb
Truckload
42,500 lb

Bulk Supply

Where to Buy Malic Acid in Bulk

If you need a pound of malic acid for a home kitchen, a retailer will serve you better. If you are buying it as a raw material for a production line, that is what we do. Bulk orders are quoted by the pallet and by the truckload, not by the pound. Our minimum is one pallet of 2,250 lbs, a full truckload is 42,500 lbs, and most plants buy somewhere between the two on an annual contract. Powder and granular can ship together on one pallet.

How much does malic acid cost in bulk?

Five things set the price: the form (DL- or L-malic acid), the grade, your volume tier, the pack format, and the current market. DL-malic acid is made from maleic anhydride, a petrochemical, so its price tends to follow butane and benzene markets rather than crop harvests. L-malic acid is made by a different route and normally costs more. Every quote is landed and delivered to your plant, and we return quotes within one business day.

Bulk malic acid order tiers
Tier Quantity Typical buyer
LTL — one pallet 2,250 lbs Pilot runs, co-packers and seasonal confectionery lines
Multi-pallet LTL 2,250 – 20,000 lbs Mid-size beverage, candy and supplement plants
Full truckload 42,500 lbs Continuous lines — lowest landed cost per pound
Annual contract By agreement Scheduled releases against your production plan

For a quote, send the form, grade, particle size, pack format and annual volume.

How We Supply

Malic Acid Manufacturers vs Distributors — Which Do You Need?

Malic acid manufacturers run the chemical plants that convert maleic anhydride into finished crystals. There are only a handful of them worldwide, and buying direct usually means container-load minimums, 8–12 week ocean lead times, and handling import, customs and quality release yourself.

Captain Drake is a malic acid supplier and distributor, not a producer. Partner manufacturers make the material; we hold the supply contracts, the documentation and inventory in US partner warehouses. You buy pallet quantities with domestic lead times, receive a lot-specific Certificate of Analysis with every delivery, and have one contact when a specification or supply position changes mid-year.

Technical Data

Food Grade Malic Acid Powder — Full Specification

Our food grade product is DL-malic acid, CAS 6915-15-7, E296, meeting Food Chemicals Codex (FCC) requirements . Its molecular formula is C4H6O5 and its molecular weight is 134.09 g/mol. The specification sheet, SDS and a lot-specific CoA are supplied on request and with every shipment.
Malic acid (DL) — technical specification
Chemical nameDL-Malic acid (DL-hydroxybutanedioic acid)
SynonymsMalic acid, hydroxysuccinic acid, apple acid
CAS number6915-15-7 (also listed as 617-48-1 for the DL form)
EC number230-022-8
E-NumberE296
Molecular formulaC4H6O5
Molecular weight134.09 g/mol
pKa3.40 / 5.20
GradeFCC / Food grade
Assay99.0 – 100.5%
AppearanceWhite crystalline powder or granules
Melting range127 – 132 °C
Fumaric acid≤ 1.0%
Maleic acid≤ 0.05%
Water-insoluble matter≤ 0.1%
Residue on ignition≤ 0.1%
Lead≤ 2 mg/kg
Particle sizesGranular, fine granular, powder
Country of originContact us for current origin
Shelf life36 months in unopened original packaging
StorageCool, dry conditions; keep sealed to prevent caking
CertificationsKosher · Halal — certificate supplied per lot
US regulatory statusGRAS, 21 CFR 184.1069

Specification Guidance

What Is Malic Acid? DL-Malic Acid vs L-Malic Acid

Malic acid is a dicarboxylic acid found naturally in apples, grapes, cherries, apricots and many other fruits — the name comes from malum, Latin for apple. In food manufacturing it works as an acidulant: it lowers pH, adds tartness and lifts fruit flavours. The human body also makes it every day as part of normal energy metabolism.

It comes in two mirror-image forms. L-malic acid is the form that occurs in fruit. DL-malic acid is an equal mix of the L and D forms, made synthetically, and it is the standard food-grade acidulant because it is consistent and economical. In most applications both deliver the same sourness.

DL-malic acid vs L-malic acid
Feature DL-Malic Acid L-Malic Acid
CAS number 6915-15-7 / 617-48-1 97-67-6
Occurs in nature No — synthetic Yes — apples, grapes, cherries and other fruit
How it is made Hydration of maleic or fumaric acid Enzymatic conversion of fumaric acid, or fermentation
Melting point About 130 °C About 100 °C
Allowed in USDA Organic products Not listed Yes — 7 CFR 205.605(a)
Typical use Beverages, confectionery, general food Organic products and formulas that call for the natural form
Relative cost Lower Higher

Physical Form

Granular, Fine Granular and Malic Acid Powder

Particle size decides how fast the acid dissolves, how it flows from a hopper, and whether it stays evenly mixed in a dry blend. Tell us the application and we will recommend a form .

Granular

The standard form. Free-flowing and quick to dissolve in liquids, so it suits beverages, syrups and fruit preparations.

Fine Granular Powder

The usual choice for sour sanding, where crystal size controls how the acid looks, sticks and dissolves on the candy surface.

200 Mesh

Milled fine to disperse evenly through powdered drink mixes, seasonings and tablet blends without separating in transit.

Straight Answer

Is Malic Acid Natural? How Malic Acid Is Made

Partly. L-malic acid occurs naturally in fruit, but extracting it from apples is not done at commercial scale. The acid in a beverage or candy is almost always DL-malic acid, made by hydrating maleic anhydride under heat and pressure, then purified and crystallised to FCC limits. Whether your finished product can carry a “natural” claim is a labelling question for your regulatory team; on the ingredient statement it is declared simply as malic acid.

Straight Answer

What this means for non-GMO and organic programs

DL-malic acid is made without any crop, so the GMO-corn question that decides citric acid sourcing does not arise for it. L-malic acid is different: when it is produced by fermentation, the sugar fed to the organism matters again, exactly as it does for citric acid.

For USDA Organic products the form matters too. L-malic acid is listed as an allowed nonsynthetic ingredient in the National List, 7 CFR 205.605(a); DL-malic acid is not. Ask for the current non-GMO statement and certificates covering the exact form and lot you are qualifying.

How the feedstock question plays out for citric acid →

Specification Guidance

Malic Acid vs Citric Acid — Which Should You Specify?

Malic and citric acid both lower pH and add sourness, but they taste different. Citric acid gives a sharp burst that fades quickly. Malic acid builds more slowly and lingers, and it is often described as more intense per gram, which suits apple, berry, grape and sour-candy profiles. Many beverage and confectionery formulas use both: citric for the opening hit, malic for the long finish.

Malic acid vs citric acid
Feature Malic Acid (DL) Citric Acid Anhydrous
CAS / E-number 6915-15-7 / E296 77-92-9 / E330
Formula · molecular weight C4H6O5 · 134.09 g/mol C6H8O7 · 192.12 g/mol
pKa values 3.40 / 5.20 3.13 / 4.76 / 6.40
Sourness profile Builds gradually, lingers Sharp and immediate, fades faster
Best flavour fit Apple, berry, grape, stone fruit, sour candy Citrus and general purpose
Melting point About 130 °C — blends into hot candy mass About 153 °C
Metal chelation Weaker Stronger — better for oxidation control
Made from Maleic anhydride (no crop feedstock) Fermented sugar — feedstock decides non-GMO status

Packaging

Malic Acid 50 lb Bags, 25 kg Bags and Tote Sacks

Every format below is quoted from US partner warehouse stock . Tell us what your receiving line is set up for and we will quote against it. Keep bags sealed and dry once opened to prevent caking.

50 lb bag

Multi-wall paper. Standard plant intake and manual charging.

25 kg bag

For metric specification programs.

2,250 lb tote sack

FIBC for high-volume continuous lines.

Poly-lined 50 lb box

Moisture protection for fine-milled powder.

Qualification Pack

Malic Acid SDS, MSDS and Certificate of Analysis

Supplier approval moves faster when the paperwork arrives together. We send the SDS, product specification and a sample Certificate of Analysis on request, at no charge, and a lot-specific CoA ships with every order. If your QA system still asks for a malic acid MSDS, the GHS-format SDS we send is the current equivalent document.
  • Product specification sheet
  • Allergen statement
  • Non-GMO Project verification certificate, where applicable
  • ISO 9001 / 14001 / 22000 certificates
  • Safety Data Sheet (SDS / MSDS)
  • Certificate of Analysis, lot-specific
  • Country of origin declaration
  • Kosher and Halal certificates
Request the Documentation Pack

Buyer Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is malic acid?
Malic acid (C₄H₆O₅, E296) is an organic acid found naturally in apples and many other fruits. In food manufacturing it is used to lower pH, add tartness and enhance fruit flavours. The standard food grade is DL-malic acid, CAS 6915-15-7.
Mainly sour candy and confectionery, beverages and drink mixes, sugar-free products and chewing gum, fruit fillings and jams, supplements and effervescent tablets, and snack seasonings. In each it lowers pH and adds a lingering tartness.
Food-grade DL-malic acid is made by hydrating maleic anhydride, then purifying and crystallising the result. L-malic acid, the natural form, is made by enzymatic conversion of fumaric acid or by fermentation. Neither is extracted from apples at commercial scale.
Malic acid is affirmed as GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) by FDA under 21 CFR 184.1069 and may be used in food at good-manufacturing levels, except in baby food. As with any acid, the controls that matter are your use level and your finished-product specification. We supply the current SDS so your regulatory team can assess it for your application.
Both lower pH and add sourness. Citric acid tastes sharp and fades quickly and is the stronger metal chelator. Malic acid builds more slowly and lingers, which suits fruit flavours and sour candy. They are often blended in the same formula.
L-malic acid is the natural form found in fruit. DL-malic acid is an equal mix of the L and D forms, made synthetically, and is the lower-cost standard for most foods. L-malic acid is chosen for USDA Organic products and formulas that call for the natural form.
L-malic acid can. It is listed as an allowed nonsynthetic ingredient in products labelled organic under 7 CFR 205.605(a). DL-malic acid is not on that list. Confirm the form with your certifier before you specify it.
It contains no gluten, dairy or animal-derived ingredients. Kosher and Halal certificates are supplied for the exact product and lot you buy; ask for them during qualification rather than relying on a general statement.
Food-grade DL-malic acid is CAS 6915-15-7 (also listed as 617-48-1). L-malic acid is CAS 97-67-6. The molecular formula is C₄H₆O₅ and the molecular weight is 134.09 g/mol.
Manufacturers buy from us by the pallet. The minimum is one pallet of 2,250 lbs, and a full truckload of 42,500 lbs gives the lowest delivered cost per pound. For small retail quantities, a consumer retailer will be a better fit.
Price depends on form (DL or L), grade, volume tier, pack format and the maleic anhydride market, which follows petrochemical prices. We quote landed and delivered to your plant and reply within one business day.
A supplier and distributor, not a producer. Partner manufacturers make the material; we handle supply contracts, documentation, US partner warehousing and delivery. That means pallet minimums from US stock instead of full containers and long ocean lead times.
Yes. Most customers contract annually, with RFQs issued in September and October for the following calendar year. Send your products, annual volumes, grades and documentation requirements and we will return a complete RFQ response.

Related Ingredients

CAS 6132-04-3 · E331

Sodium Citrate Dihydrate

The sodium equivalent — same functions, lower cost, where sodium load is not a constraint.

View sodium citrate specifications

CAS 77-92-9 · E330

Potassium Citrate Powder

Where the formulation needs potassium rather than sodium or calcium.

View citric acid specifications

CAS 77-92-9 · E330

Citric Acid Anhydrous

The acid every citrate on this site is made from. FCC and USP grades.

View citric acid specifications

Get Bulk Pricing on Food Grade Malic Acid

Send the form, grade, particle size, pack format and annual volume. We return a quote within one business day, with current lead times and the full documentation pack.

Request a Quote