The present main application of malic acid is in the food and beverage industry in which about 85–90% of the currently produced malic acid is applied. It is used as acidulant and taste enhancer in various products including candies, soft drinks, bakery products and jellies (labelled as E 296), often in combination with citric acid. Malic acid is furthermore used as buffering and chelating agent in personal care and cleaning formulations. Other applications cover the pharmaceutical sector, for example as compound of the migraine drug almotriptan malate,in the semiconductor fabrication as polishing or cleaning formulation compound and as animal feed additive. 

DL-/L-Malic acid