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Potassium malate

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Chemical compound
Potassium malate
Names
IUPAC name dipotassium 2-hydroxybutanedioate
Other names Dipotassium malate; E351
Identifiers
CAS Number
3D model (JSmol)
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.008.683 Edit this at Wikidata
E number E351 (antioxidants, ...)
PubChem CID
UNII
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
InChI
  • InChI=1S/C4H6O5.2K/c5-2(4(8)9)1-3(6)7;;/h2,5H,1H2,(H,6,7)(H,8,9);;/q;2*+1/p-2Key: SVICABYXKQIXBM-UHFFFAOYSA-L
  • InChI=1/C4H6O5.2K/c5-2(4(8)9)1-3(6)7;;/h2,5H,1H2,(H,6,7)(H,8,9);;/q;2*+1/p-2Key: SVICABYXKQIXBM-NUQVWONBAI
SMILES
  • C(C(C(=O))O)C(=O)..
Properties
Chemical formula C4H4K2O5
Molar mass 210.268 g·mol
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C , 100 kPa). ☒N verify (what is  ?) Infobox references
Chemical compound

Potassium malate is a compound with formula K2(C2H4O(COO)2). It is the potassium salt of malic acid.

As a food additive, it has the E number E351. It is used as acidity regulator or acidifier for use in, for example, canned vegetables, soups, sauces, fruit products, and soft drinks. It also acts as an antioxidant and a food flavoring agent.

It is an important compound in the transport of nitrate from the roots of a plant to the leaves of the plant. Potassium malate is the salt that transports from the leaves to the root. At the root, the potassium malate oxidizes to potassium carbonate, then is converted to potassium nitrate by soil nitrate and transported back to the leaves.

References

  1. "Approved additives and E numbers". UK Food Standards Agency.
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