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 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 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 The most common types of AHAs are glycolic acid, lactic acid, and mandelic acid, but there are others including tartaric acid, citric acid, and malic acid. Sarah Madaus, SELF, 18 May 2022 The malic acid in the apple plays quite well off the palate. Elva Ramirez, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2021 Pipette Treat your skin to the rejuvenating benefits of lactic acid and malic acid with the Overnight Brightening Mask, which gently exfoliates dead skin cells to reveal a more radiant complexion. Emily Belfiore, PEOPLE.com, 30 Aug. 2021 The sharp malic acid of green apple will reveal any flaws in a wine, while the soft lactic acid of cheese will smooth rough edges and make a wine more appealing. Lettie Teague, WSJ, 23 June 2021 See More
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 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 The most common types of AHAs are glycolic acid, lactic acid, and mandelic acid, but there are others including tartaric acid, citric acid, and malic acid. Sarah Madaus, SELF, 18 May 2022 The malic acid in the apple plays quite well off the palate. Elva Ramirez, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2021 Pipette Treat your skin to the rejuvenating benefits of lactic acid and malic acid with the Overnight Brightening Mask, which gently exfoliates dead skin cells to reveal a more radiant complexion. Emily Belfiore, PEOPLE.com, 30 Aug. 2021 The sharp malic acid of green apple will reveal any flaws in a wine, while the soft lactic acid of cheese will smooth rough edges and make a wine more appealing. Lettie Teague, WSJ, 23 June 2021 See More 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