Potassium malate

Potassium malate

Names
IUPAC name dipotassium 2-hydroxybutanedioate
Other names Dipotassium malate; E351
Identifiers
CAS Registry Number	585-09-1 Y
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-2
Jmol-3D images	Image
PubChem	164689
SMILES C(C(C(=O)[O-])O)C(=O)[O-].[K+].[K+]
Properties
Molecular formula	C4H4K2O5
Molar mass	210.27 g·mol−1
Except where noted otherwise, data is given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C (77 °F), 100 kPa)
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Infobox references

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 as a food flavor. 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 maleate oxidizes to potassium carbonate, then is converted to potassium nitrate by soil nitrate and transported back to the leaves.