Fumaric Acid Uses

Fumaric acid is a naturally occurring compound that is typically produced by fungal fermentation. This chemical finds a broad range of uses in several industries, most prominently in medicine and food. Fumaric acid finds additional applications in manufacturing polyester resins and producing paper products. Unlike some other acidic chemicals, fumaric acid is nontoxic and safe to handle.

What Makes Fumaric Acid Useful?

• Fumaric acid is an important component in food processing, medicine and industry because of its unique chemistry. A strongly acidic compound, fumaric acid has a long-lasting sour taste that food manufacturers find desirable. Because of its hydrophobic nature, fumaric acid keeps products moisture free, extending the shelf life of foods and improving the quality of papers and resins. The low pH of fumaric resin provides anti-microbial effects, which are beneficial in medicine and food preservation.

Food Industry Uses

• Fumaric acid is a common additive in pie fillings.

  In the food industry, fumaric acid is primarily used as an acidulant, a compound that increases acidity. Fumaric acid is included in many common beverages, wines and candies. As an inexpensive and nontoxic compound, fumaric acid is an ideal candidate for everyday food items that extend across multiple categories. Examples include tortillas, English muffins, jelly, pie filling and egg-white foams. Fumaric acid has also been used in animal stock feeds.

Medicinal Uses

• Fumaric acid is produced naturally by human skin exposed to ultraviolet radiation, such as in sunlight. However, people with psoriasis cannot naturally produce a sufficient quantity of this important compound. Small doses of fumaric acid esters are used to alleviate and treat this condition, according to Kimberly Pryor, writing on the Vitamin Research Products website. Researchers in the pharmaceutical industry are currently investigating fumaric acid as a possible treatment of multiple sclerosis. Fumaric acid is also used to treat rare conditions such as fumaric aciduria, which occur when the body does not produce enough of this compound to properly metabolize food.

Industrial Uses

• Industrial resins rely on fumaric acid.

  Fumaric acid finds several key industrial applications. It plays a role in the manufacture of unsaturated polyester resins. Alkyd resins also use this compound in their preparation. Both kinds of resins are used in the construction and automotive industries. Paper sizing requires fumaric acid to increase resistance to liquid absorption. Higher quality papers use higher concentrations of this compound. Additional uses for fumaric acid in industry include use in lubricating oils, plasticizers and as a carboxylating agent for rubber.