What is Fumaric Acid?
It is an organic compound that is structurally related to maleic acid. It is a white crystalline powder that is poorly soluble in water but highly soluble in alcohol. Naturally occurring fumaric acid can be extracted from certain plants and fungi. It is also produced industrially by the hydration of maleic anhydride.
Uses in Food Production
Fumaric acid has a variety of uses in the food industry as an acidity regulator. As a food additive, it has the E number E297 and is approved for use in the EU, USA and Australia and New Zealand. It is commonly added to processed foods and beverages to enhance flavors and act as a preservative by lowering the pH level. Some key applications of it in food processing include:
- Meat products: It is used as a curing agent and preservative in canned, cured and processed meats like ham, sausage, pepperoni and corned beef.
- Beverages: Small amounts of it are added to fruit drinks, soft drinks, and wine to impart a tart or acidic taste without significantly increasing the calories.
- Bakery goods: It helps lengthen the shelf life of baked goods like bread, cakes and snacks by inhibiting microbial growth in a low-calorie way.
- Sauces and dressings: It balances the acidity in ketchup, barbecue sauce, salad dressings and other condiments.
- Fermented foods: It enhances the flavor of pickled vegetables, olives and fermented dairy products.
Uses in Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals
In the medical field, its esters have shown therapeutic effects for treating psoriasis and multiple sclerosis. Some key uses in healthcare include:
- Psoriasis treatment: Its ester drugs like Fumaderm are used as oral therapies for psoriasis vulgaris, a long-lasting autoimmune disease characterized by lesions of the skin.
- Multiple sclerosis: Medications containing dimethyl fumarate (Tecfidera) are a first-line treatment option for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis, working to reduce inflammation in the central nervous system.
- Antioxidant support: It may reduce oxidative stress in the body by boosting levels of antioxidant glutathione. Preliminary research explores its potential for supporting conditions like Parkinson's disease.
- Wound healing: Applied topically, it shows promise for accelerating wound recovery and preventing microbial growth at injury sites, skin ulcers and burns.
Industrial and Chemical Applications
In industrial settings, it demonstrates valuable chemical properties that expand its commercial uses:
- Unsaturated polyester resin production: It acts as a crosslinking agent in resins used to make products like automotive parts, boats, bath tubs and fiberglass.
- Alkyd resin synthesis: Fumaric acid is employed in making alkyd resins, which see wide application as paints, varnishes and surface coatings.
- Urethane foam manufacturing: The chemical structure of fumaric acid makes it suitable for use in synthesizing urethane foam, important for furniture, mattresses, insulation and flotation devices.
- Construction materials: Certain cement and building mixtures use fumaric acid as an accelerating agent or water-reducing admixture.
- Personal care products: Esters of fumaric acid function as emollients and thickeners in cosmetics, shampoos and other toiletries.
So in summary, this important organic acid derived from plants serves many practical applications across food processing, pharmaceutics, chemical engineering and other industries due to its acidifying, preservative and polymer crosslinking functions. Its diverse range of uses continues to be explored by scientists.
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Ravina Pandya, Content Writer, has a strong foothold in the market research industry. She specializes in writing well-researched articles from different industries, including food and beverages, information and technology, healthcare, chemical and materials, etc.
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