Malic acid (Ref: P494) (2025)

Malic acid (Ref: P494)Malic acid (Ref: P494) (1)
Last updated: 24/05/2024
(Also known as: malicacid; DL-malic acid)
SUMMARY
Data alerts

The following alerts are based on the data in the tables below. An absence of an alert does not imply the substance has no implications for human health, biodiversity or the environment but just that we do not have the data to form a judgement.

Environmental fateEcotoxicityHuman health
&nbsp&nbsp

Malic acid (Ref: P494) (4) Human health
Moderate alert:
Mammals acute toxicity: Moderate

Malic acid (Ref: P494) (6) Warning:
Significant data are missing

GENERAL INFORMATION

Malic acid (Ref: P494) (8)
Description
A naturally occuring substance, not classifed as a pesticide but with some micobiocidal properties and sometimes added to pesticide formulations as its natural taste and odour can act as attractants to help improve product performance
Availability status
-
Introduction & key dates
1787, first isolated
GB regulatory status
GB COPR regulatory status

Not approved
Date COPR inclusion expires
Not applicable
GB LERAP status
Not applicable
EC Regulation 1107/2009 (repealing 91/414)
EC Regulation 1107/2009 status

Not applicable - not a ppp. May be authorised at national level under different legislation
Dossier rapporteur/co-rapporteur
Not applicable
Date EC 1107/2009 inclusion expires
Not applicable
EU Candidate for substitution (CfS)
Not applicable
Listed in EU database
No
Approved for use (✓) under EC 1107/2009 in the following EU Member States

ATAustria

BEBelgium

BGBulgaria

CYCyprus

CZCzech Republic

DEGermany

DKDenmark

EEEstonia

ELGreece

&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp

ESSpain

FIFinland

FRFrance

HRCroatia

HUHungary

IEIreland

ITItaly

LTLithuania

LULuxembourg

&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp

LVLatvia

MTMalta

NLNetherlands

PLPoland

PTPortugal

RORomania

SESweden

SISlovenia

SKSlovakia

&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp
Approved for use (✓) under EC 1107/2009 by Mutual Recognition of Authorisation and/or national regulations in the following EEA countries

ISIceland

NONorway

&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp
Additional information
Also used in
-
Chemical structure

Isomerism
Isomeric
Chemical formula
C₄H₆O₅
Canonical SMILES
C(C(C(=O)O)O)C(=O)O
Isomeric SMILES
No data
International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)
BJEPYKJPYRNKOW-UHFFFAOYSA-N
International Chemical Identifier (InChI)
InChI=1S/C4H6O5/c5-2(4(8)9)1-3(6)7/h2,5H,1H2,(H,6,7)(H,8,9)
2D structure diagram/image available?
Yes
Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre diagrams
Malic acid (Ref: P494) (14)
Common NameRelationshipLink
malic acid-Malic acid (Ref: P494) (15)
(-)-Malic acid-Malic acid (Ref: P494) (16)
General status

Pesticide type
Other substance
Other bioactivity & uses
Performance enhancer (attract and kill formulations); Microbiocide
Substance groups
Unclassified substance
Minimum active substance purity
-
Known relevant impurities
-
Substance origin
Synthetic
Mode of action
Considered an inert substance
CAS RN
6915-15-7
EC number
230-022-8
CIPAC number
-
US EPA chemical code
051101
PubChem CID
-
Molecular mass
134.09
PIN (Preferred Identification Name)
-
IUPAC name
hydroxybutanedioic acid
CAS name
R-hydroxy butanedioic acid
Other status information
EC 2232/96 Annex 1 registered as food flavouring agent
Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards
-
Herbicide Resistance Class (HRAC MoA class)
Not applicable
Herbicide Resistance Class (WSSA MoA class)
Not applicable
Insecticide Resistance Class (IRAC MoA class)
Not applicable
Fungicide Resistance Class (FRAC MOA class)
Not applicable
Examples of recorded resistance
-
Physical state
Colourless to white crystalline solid
Formulations
Property

Value
Example manufacturers & suppliers of products using this active now or historically
  • J.T. Baker
Example products using this active
-
Formulation and application details
-
ENVIRONMENTAL FATE
Malic acid (Ref: P494) (19)
Property

Value
Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Solubility - In water at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)
558000

Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources
3 = Unverified data of known source

High
Solubility - In organic solvents at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)
827000

Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources
3 = Unverified data of known source

Methanol		-
455300

Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources
3 = Unverified data of known source

Ethanol		-
177500

Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources
3 = Unverified data of known source

Acetone		-
227000

Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources
3 = Unverified data of known source

Dioxane		-
Melting point (°C)
131

V3 V = ChemID Online Databases; Chemspider; PubChem. (ChemID )
3 = Unverified data of known source

-
Boiling point (°C)
---
Degradation point (°C)
---
Flashpoint (°C)
---
Octanol-water partition coefficient at pH 7, 20 °C
P
5.50 X 10-02Calculated-
Log P
-1.26

V3 V = ChemID Online Databases; Chemspider; PubChem. (ChemID )
3 = Unverified data of known source

Low
Fat solubility of residues
Solubility
---
Data type
---
Density (g ml⁻¹)
1.25

P3 P = Other non-EU, UK or US Governments and Regulators
3 = Unverified data of known source

-
Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C
3.4

Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources
3 = Unverified data of known source

-
Weak acid, pKa2 = 5.13
Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)
---
Henry's law constant at 25 °C (Pa m³ mol⁻¹)
---
Volatilisation as max % of applied dose lost
From plant surface
---
From soil surface
---
Maximum UV-vis absorption L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹
---
Surface tension (mN m⁻¹)
---
Degradation

Property

Value
Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

General biodegradability
-
Soil degradation (days) (aerobic)
DT₅₀ (typical)
---
DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)
---
DT₅₀ (field)
---
DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)
---
DT₉₀ (field)
---
DT₅₀ modelling endpoint
---
Note
-
Dissipation rate RL₅₀ (days) on plant matrix
Value
---
Note
-
Dissipation rate RL₅₀ (days) on and in plant matrix
Value
---
Note
-
Aqueous photolysis DT₅₀ (days) at pH 7
Value
---
Note
-
Aqueous hydrolysis DT₅₀ (days) at 20 °C and pH 7
Value
---
Note
-
Water-sediment DT₅₀ (days)
---
Water phase only DT₅₀ (days)
---
Sediment phase only DT₅₀ (days)
---
Air degradation
As this parameter is not normally measured directly, a surrogate measure is used: ‘Photochemical oxidative DT₅₀’. Where data is available, this can be found in the Fate Indices section below.
Decay in stored produce DT₅₀
-
Soil adsorption and mobility

Property

Value
Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Linear
Kd (mL g⁻¹)
---
Koc (mL g⁻¹)
-
Notes and range
-
Freundlich
Kf (mL g⁻¹)
---
Kfoc (mL g⁻¹)
-
1/n
-
Notes and range
-
pH sensitivity
-
Fate indices
Property

Value
Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

GUS leaching potential index

---
SCI-GROW groundwater index (μg l⁻¹) for a 1 kg ha⁻¹ or 1 l ha⁻¹ application rate

Value
Cannot be calculated--
Note
-
Potential for particle bound transport index

---
Potential for loss via drain flow

---
Photochemical oxidative DT₅₀ (hrs) as indicator of long-range air transport risk
---
Bio-concentration factor
BCF (l kg⁻¹)
---
CT₅₀ (days)
--
Known metabolites

None

ECOTOXICOLOGY
Malic acid (Ref: P494) (39)
Terrestrial ecotoxicology
Property

Value
Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)
> 1600

Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources
3 = Unverified data of known source

Rat		Moderate
Mammals - Short term dietary NOEL
(mg kg⁻¹)
---
(ppm diet)
--
Mammals - Chronic 21d NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)
---
Birds - Acute LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)
---
Birds - Short term dietary (LC₅₀/LD₅₀)
---
Birds - Chronic 21d NOEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)
---
Earthworms - Acute 14 day LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)
---
Earthworms - Chronic NOEC, reproduction (mg kg⁻¹)
---
Soil micro-organisms
---
Collembola
Acute LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)
---
Chronic NOEC (mg kg⁻¹)
---
Non-target plants
---
---
Honeybees (Apis spp.)
Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)
---
Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)
---
Unknown mode acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)
---
Chronic
---
Notes
-
Bumblebees (Bombus spp.)
Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)
---
-
Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)
---
-
Mason bees (Osmia spp.)
Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)
---
Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)
---
Other bee species (1)
Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)
---
Mode of exposure
-
Other bee species (2)
Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)
---
Mode of exposure
-
Beneficial insects (Ladybirds)
---
Beneficial insects (Lacewings)
---
Beneficial insects (Parasitic wasps)
---
Beneficial insects (Predatory mites)
---
Beneficial insects (Ground beetles)
---
Aquatic ecotoxicology
Property

Value
Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Temperate Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)
---
Temperate Freshwater Fish - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)
---
Tropical Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)
---
Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)
---
Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)
---
Tropical Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)
---
Aquatic crustaceans - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)
---
Sediment dwelling organisms - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)
---
Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, static, water (mg l⁻¹)
---
Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, sediment (mg kg⁻¹)
---
Aquatic plants - Acute 7 day EC₅₀, biomass (mg l⁻¹)
---
Algae - Acute 72 hour EC₅₀, growth (mg l⁻¹)
---
Algae - Chronic 96 hour NOEC, growth (mg l⁻¹)
---
Mesocosm study data
NOEAEC mg l⁻¹
---
NOEAEC mg l⁻¹
---
Marine bivalves
---
HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION
Malic acid (Ref: P494) (46)
General
Property

Value
Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Threshold of Toxicological Concern (Cramer Class)

Low (class I)--
Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)
> 1600

Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources
3 = Unverified data of known source

Rat		Moderate
Mammals - Dermal LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ body weight)
---
Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)
---
Other Mammal toxicity endpoints
 - --
ADI - Acceptable Daily Intake (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)
---
ARfD - Acute Reference Dose (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)
---
AAOEL - Acute Acceptable Operator Exposure Level (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)
---
AOEL - Acceptable Operator Exposure Level - Systemic (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)
---
Dermal penetration studies (%)
---
Dangerous Substances Directive 76/464
---
Exposure Routes
Public
-
Occupational
-
MRLs
European
EU MRL pesticide database&nbsp

Malic acid (Ref: P494) (51)

Great Britain
GB MRL Register&nbsp

Malic acid (Ref: P494) (52)

Notes
-
Drinking Water Standards
---
Drinking Water MAC (μg l⁻¹)
---
Mammalian dose elimination route and rate
---
Health issues
Specific human health issues
Carcinogen
Genotoxic

Endocrine disruptor

XNo, known not to cause a problem

A0 A = Chromosome aberration (EFSA database)
0 = No data

;

B0 B = DNA damage/repair (EFSA database)
0 = No data

;

C0 C = Gene mutation (EFSA database)
0 = No data

;

D0 D = Genome mutation (EFSA database)
0 = No data

;

E0 E = Unspecified genotoxicity type (miscellaneous data source)
0 = No data

No data found
Reproduction / development effectsAcetyl cholinesterase inhibitorNeurotoxicant
No data found

XNo, known not to cause a problem

No data found
Respiratory tract irritantSkin irritantSkin sensitiser

✓Yes, known to cause a problem

✓Yes, known to cause a problem

No data found
Eye irritantPhototoxicant&nbsp

✓Yes, known to cause a problem

No data found&nbsp
General human health issues
May be harmful if swallowed
May cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea
Handling issues
Property

Value and interpretation
General

Prevent generation of dust
CLP classification 2013
-
WHO Classification
Not listed (Not listed)
UN Number
-
Waste disposal & packaging

-
Shelf-life, storage, stability and reactivity
-
TRANSLATIONS
Malic acid (Ref: P494) (57)
Language
Name
English
malic acid
French
-
German
-
Danish
-
Italian
-
Spanish
-
Greek
-
Polish
-
Swedish
-
Hungarian
-
Dutch
-
Norwegian
-
Record last updated:24/05/2024
Contact:aeru@herts.ac.uk
Please cite as:Lewis, K.A., Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D. and Green, A. (2016) An international database for pesticide risk assessments and management. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 22(4), 1050-1064. DOI: 10.1080/10807039.2015.1133242
© University of HertfordshireALSO AVAILABLE: THE VSDB THE BPDBwww.herts.ac.uk/aeru
Malic acid (Ref: P494) (2025)
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