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| Synonyms:Fumaric acid trans-Butenedioic acid (E)-Butenedioic acid (2E)-But-2-enedioic acid Allomaleic acid Boletic acid Lichenic acid Molecular Formula:C4H4O4 Molecular Weight: 116.07 HS Code: 2917190090 Grade:Food Grade、≥99% Hazard Class:General Cargo | |||||||||
110-17-8
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110-17-8
Fumaric acid (trans-butenedioic acid; HOOC-CH=CH-COOH, CAS 110-17-8) is a naturally occurring, white crystalline dicarboxylic acid with a clean, fruit-like tart taste — used as a food acidulant (E297) since 1946 and approved for food use in the EU, the USA and Australia/New Zealand. In food and beverages it delivers strong, long-lasting sourness at lower dosage than citric acid, and its very low hygroscopicity makes it the acid of choice for dry mixes, baking powders and tableted formulations. The same chemistry serves industry: fumaric acid is a key monomer/modifier for unsaturated polyester and alkyd resins, a paper-sizing and rosin-ester building block, and a mordant for dyes — while its extremely low acute toxicity makes it one of the safest food and feed acids in commercial use.
Core value propositions:
● Non-Hygroscopic Dry-Mix Advantage: the preferred acid for baking powders, tortillas and tableted foods;
● Resin & Coatings Building Block: unsaturated polyester, alkyd, paper-sizing and rosin-ester applications;
Item | Specification |
Chemical Name | Fumaric acid (trans-butenedioic acid; (E)-2-butenedioic acid) |
Synonyms | Allomaleic acid; lichenic acid; boletic acid; E297; INS 297; FEMA 2488 |
CAS No. | 110-17-8 |
EC No. (EINECS) | 203-743-0 |
Molecular Formula | C₄H₄O₄ (HOOC-CH=CH-COOH) |
Molecular Weight | 116.07 g/mol |
Appearance | White crystalline powder or granules |
Solubility | Slightly soluble in water (≈ 0.6 g/100 mL at 25 °C); soluble in alcohol; slightly soluble in oils |
Toxicity | Very low acute toxicity — oral LD50 ≈ 10 g/kg |
Grades | Food grade (E297), feed grade, industrial grade (customizable) |
Fumaric acid, HOOC-CH=CH-COOH (MW 116.07), is the trans isomer of butenedioic acid — the cis isomer is maleic acid. The trans configuration makes fumaric acid a more stable, less reactive and much less soluble solid than maleic acid: it is slightly soluble in water, soluble in alcohol, and slightly soluble in oils. Industrially it is produced by catalytic isomerization of maleic acid in aqueous solution at low pH — the maleic acid itself being the hydrolysis product of maleic anhydride (from catalytic oxidation of benzene or butane) — and fumaric acid precipitates from the reaction solution. With two carboxyl groups it is a strong acidulant that is a good dienophile and readily forms diesters, making it a versatile synthesis and resin intermediate. It has a very low vapor pressure, is biodegradable .
● E297 food-grade acidulant: approved in the EU, USA and Australia/New Zealand since 1946.
● High souring strength: ≈ 1 g replaces ≈ 1.5 g citric acid for the same tartness.
● Non-hygroscopic solid: ideal for dry mixes, baking powders, tableted and encapsulated foods.
● Versatile resin chemistry: unsaturated polyester, alkyd, paper-sizing and rosin-ester applications.
● Very low toxicity: oral LD50 ≈ 10 g/kg; approved for feed use.
● Biodegradable and low volatility: favorable environmental profile.
● Consistent quality: controlled assay, melting point, color and purity with COA.
1 Food & Beverage — Acidulant (Core Application)
● Beverages and fruit drinks: strong, clean sourness at low dosage.
● Baking powders and dry mixes: non-hygroscopic acid for consistent leavening; used as the acid in wheat tortilla making.
● Sour candies and confectionery: substitute for tartaric acid and occasionally citric acid
● "Salt and vinegar" style snacks: component of artificial vinegar flavor systems.
● Stove-top pudding mixes: coagulant in instant pudding formulations.
2 Animal Feed
● Feed additive acidulant: approved for use in animal nutrition; assessed as practically non-toxic (EU SCAN, 2014).
● Ruminal methane reduction: studies report up to 70% less methane production in lambs fed fumaric acid.
● Feed preservation and pH control in compound feeds.
3 Resins, Coatings & Paper
● Unsaturated polyester resins: key monomer/modifier for strength and chemical resistance.
● Alkyd and phenolic resins, alkyd resin coatings: crosslinking and property modification.
● Paper-sizing resins and rosin esters/adducts: paper and packaging chemicals.
● Plasticizers and upgrading of natural drying oils.
4 Other Industrial Applications
● Mordant for dyes: textile dyeing and printing auxiliaries.
● Synthesis intermediate: good dienophile; used in the preparation of 6-methylcoumarin and other fine chemicals.
● Acidulant for liquid preparations and general pH control in industrial formulations.
Packaging (customizable):
● 25 kg multi-wall paper bags with PE liner (food-grade); 1,000 kg big bags; small packs on request;
Storage:
● Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area; keep containers tightly closed;
● Avoid moisture and direct contact with strong alkalis, oxidizing agents and active metals;
● Avoid prolonged high temperature .
● Factory-direct supply: own production and sourcing capability, transparent pricing, no middleman markup.
● Stable quality: strict internal control, every batch tested (assay, melting point, color, purity), COA with every shipment.
● Fast response: quotations and technical support (COA, SDS, application advice); small trial orders accepted.
Fumaric acid (E297) is used as a food and beverage acidulant — beverages, baking powders, sour candies, confectionery, wheat tortillas and dry mixes — and as a feed additive. Industrially it is a key building block for unsaturated polyester resins, alkyd and phenolic resins, paper-sizing resins, rosin esters and plasticizers, and it serves as a mordant for dyes and a synthesis intermediate.
Fumaric acid is a stronger and less soluble acid than citric acid: about 1 g of fumaric acid provides the sourness of roughly 1.5 g of citric acid, so less is needed for the same tartness. Because it is non-hygroscopic and only slightly soluble in water, it is preferred in dry mixes, baking powders and tableted products, where citric acid's moisture pickup would be a problem. It is also commonly used as a direct substitute for tartaric acid in sour confectionery.
Fumaric acid and maleic acid are the two geometric isomers of butenedioic acid: fumaric acid is the trans isomer (CAS 110-17-8) and maleic acid is the cis isomer (CAS 110-16-7). Fumaric acid is the stable, food-approved form (E297) with low toxicity and low water solubility. Maleic acid is the more reactive cis isomer, produced as the anhydride industrially and used mainly as a chemical intermediate — it is not used as a food acidulant. Interestingly, fumaric acid itself is manufactured by catalytic isomerization of maleic acid. Always specify fumaric acid (trans) when ordering food or feed grades — the two are not interchangeable.
