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Benario
DL-Malic Acid Powder (Food Grade) — Pure Acidulant & Flavour Enhancer
DL-Malic Acid Powder (Food Grade) — Pure Acidulant & Flavour Enhancer
Regular price
$19.00 AUD
Regular price
Sale price
$19.00 AUD
Taxes included.
Quantity
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🔬Lab-tested≥99.0% purity
📦Packed in AustraliaSame-week dispatch
🍎FSANZ E296Apple acid — smooth sourness
🏭500+ businessesTrust AuSaMicS
Food Grade E296 DL Form FSANZ Approved COA Available
DL-Malic Acid (E296) is a food-grade acidulant with a smooth, fruity sourness and a lingering flavour profile — best known as the acid responsible for the tart taste of apples. The DL form is the synthetic racemic mixture used widely in food manufacturing for its consistent quality, superior solubility and cost-effectiveness versus L-Malic Acid. Used across confectionery, beverages, jams, baked goods and flavour enhancement applications across Australia.
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Backed by AuSaMicS Pty Ltd — Australian manufacturer and supplier of food-grade ingredients trusted by 500+ Australian businesses. Every batch lab-tested before dispatch.
Popular uses
🍬Sour ConfectionerySour lollies, hard candy, gummies, sherbet
🥤BeveragesApple drinks, cordials, sports drinks, flavoured water
🍎Fruit FlavoursApple, cherry, grape and berry-flavoured products
🍓Jams & PreservespH control, flavour enhancement, preservation
🎂BakingFlavour enhancer, leavening activator
🏭Food ManufacturingAcidulant, flavour modifier, antioxidant synergist
Why Benario DL-Malic Acid
- FSANZ Standard 1.3.1 approved (E296) — legal for use in Australian food products
- ≥99.0% purity — lab-tested, Certificate of Analysis available on request
- Smooth, lingering fruity sourness — preferred over citric acid for apple and berry flavours
- DL form — consistent quality, superior solubility, cost-effective vs L-Malic Acid
- Packed in Australia — quality-checked before every dispatch
- Three sizes: 250g, 500g and 1kg
- Freely water soluble — easy to incorporate into liquid and dry formulations
Quick reference
| Property | Detail |
|---|---|
| E number | E296 |
| Also known as | DL-Malic acid, racemic malic acid, hydroxysuccinic acid, apple acid, E296, INS 296 |
| Form | DL racemic mixture — white crystalline powder |
| Purity | ≥ 99.0% |
| pH (1% solution) | ~2.3 (strongly acidic) |
| Solubility | Freely soluble in water |
| Taste | Smooth, fruity, apple-like sourness with lingering finish |
| Pack sizes | 250g · 500g · 1kg |
| Shelf life | 36 months (sealed, cool & dry) |
| Standard | FSANZ E296, EU E296, FCC, GRAS |
💡 DL vs L form: DL-Malic Acid is the synthetic racemic mixture — it contains both L- and D-enantiomers. It is interchangeable with L-Malic Acid in most food applications and is more cost-effective. For products marketed as "natural" or winemaking use, L-Malic Acid is the preferred form.
Benario is a trading name of AuSaMicS Pty Ltd (ABN 56 676 640 467). This product is intended for use as a food ingredient in accordance with FSANZ Standard 1.3.1. Always use within permitted levels for the relevant food category.
DL-Malic Acid is the preferred acid for apple, berry and stone-fruit flavour systems. Its smooth, lingering sourness and synergy with sweeteners make it a formulator's favourite for premium confectionery and beverages.
Recommended usage levels
| Application | Usage level | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sour confectionery coating | 1 – 5% | Blends well with citric acid for complex sour profile |
| Beverages / apple drinks | 0.1 – 0.5% | Dissolve in water first; gives smooth apple tartness |
| Sports / flavoured water | 0.05 – 0.2% | Cleaner finish than citric acid at low concentrations |
| Jams & preserves | 0.1 – 0.3% | pH control and flavour enhancement |
| Baking / leavening | 0.5 – 1.5% | Activates bicarbonate; slower than tartaric acid |
| Effervescent systems | 10 – 30% | Combine with bicarbonate for fizzing tablets/sachets |
| Flavour enhancement | 0.05 – 0.2% | Rounds and enhances fruit flavour systems |
| General pH adjustment | As required | Verify final pH with calibrated meter |
Acidulant blending guide
| Blend | Ratio | Profile | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Malic only | 100% | Smooth, fruity, lingering | Apple/pear flavoured products |
| Malic + Citric | 1:2 to 1:3 | Complex, layered, balanced | Sour confectionery, mixed fruit drinks |
| Malic + Tartaric | 1:1 | Sharp fruity — grape-apple | Premium confectionery, wine gummies |
| Citric only | 100% | Sharp, clean, citrusy | General beverages, lemon-lime |
💡 Formulation tip: DL-Malic Acid is the go-to acid for apple, cherry, grape and berry flavour systems — its smooth, lingering sourness complements fruit notes better than the sharper citric acid. For sour confectionery, blending Malic Acid with Citric Acid (roughly 1:2 to 1:3 ratio) creates a complex, layered sour profile. Malic Acid also has excellent synergy with sweeteners — it enhances perceived sweetness and masks bitter off-notes in products containing high-intensity sweeteners.
Tips for use
- Dissolve in a small amount of water before adding to formulations for even distribution
- Strongly acidic — add gradually and verify pH with a calibrated meter
- Excellent synergy with high-intensity sweeteners — masks bitter off-notes
- Blends well with Citric Acid for complex sour confectionery profiles
- Hygroscopic — keep container tightly sealed after every use
Storage
- Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and moisture
- Keep container tightly sealed — hygroscopic, will clump if exposed to moisture
- Shelf life: 36 months from manufacture date when stored correctly
- Keep away from strong oxidising agents and bases
Usage levels are indicative. Always comply with FSANZ Standard 1.3.1 permitted levels. AuSaMicS Pty Ltd accepts no responsibility for use outside recommended guidelines.
Technical specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Chemical name | DL-2-Hydroxysuccinic acid (racemic malic acid) |
| CAS number | 617-48-1 |
| E number | E296 |
| INS number | INS 296 |
| Molecular formula | C₄H₆O₅ |
| Molecular weight | 134.09 g/mol |
| Form | DL racemic mixture — white crystalline powder |
| Assay (purity) | ≥ 99.0% (on dried basis) |
| Water content | ≤ 1.0% |
| pH (1% solution) | ~2.3 |
| Fumaric acid | ≤ 1.0% |
| Maleic acid | ≤ 0.05% |
| Heavy metals (as Pb) | ≤ 5 mg/kg |
| Arsenic | ≤ 1 mg/kg |
| Lead | ≤ 0.5 mg/kg |
| Applicable standard | FSANZ Standard 1.3.1 (E296), FCC 12th Ed., EU E296, JECFA |
International approvals
| Market | Code / Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Australia / NZ (FSANZ) | E296 — Malic acid | Approved |
| European Union | E296 — Malic acid (DL form) | Approved |
| United States (FDA) | GRAS — Generally Recognised as Safe | Approved |
| INS (Codex) | INS 296 | Approved |
| Note | DL form — synthetic racemic mixture; L form is natural | — |
Pack sizes & pricing
| Size | Price (AUD) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 250g | $11.90 | Home confectioners, testing |
| 500g | $18.90 | Regular home & small commercial |
| 1kg | $29.90 | Commercial use, food manufacturers |
COA available on request — info@benario.com.au
Specifications represent typical values. Batch-specific results confirmed in COA.
DL-Malic Acid (E296) is a naturally occurring organic acid analogue with an excellent safety profile. Approved under FSANZ Standard 1.3.1. Handle with standard precautions as it is a strong acid at high concentrations.
Key safety points
- Approved food additive — FSANZ E296, EU E296, GRAS (USA), FCC compliant
- Structurally related to naturally occurring L-Malic Acid found in apples
- Strong acid in concentrated form — avoid contact with eyes; wear protection for bulk handling
- Gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian suitable
- Hygroscopic — keep container sealed to prevent caking
- Incompatible with strong oxidising agents and bases
First aid
| Route | Action |
|---|---|
| Skin contact | Wash with soap and water. May cause mild irritation with prolonged contact. |
| Eye contact | Rinse immediately with clean water for 15–20 minutes. Seek medical advice. |
| Ingestion | Rinse mouth with water. At food-grade use levels, no significant risk. Seek medical advice if large quantities ingested. |
| Inhalation | Move to fresh air. Dust may irritate respiratory tract. Seek medical advice if symptoms persist. |
GHS classification
| Hazard category | Classification |
|---|---|
| Physical hazards | Not classified |
| Health hazards | Eye irritation (Category 2); mild skin irritation at high concentrations |
| Environmental hazards | Not classified |
| Signal word | Warning |
| Precautionary | Avoid eye contact; wear eye protection for bulk handling; wash hands after use |
Full SDS available on request — info@benario.com.au
This is a general safety summary only. For commercial use, request the full SDS. AuSaMicS Pty Ltd (ABN 56 676 640 467) accepts no liability for misuse of this product.
Frequently asked questions
L-Malic Acid is the naturally occurring form found in apples, cherries and other fruits. DL-Malic Acid is the synthetic racemic mixture containing equal parts of L- and D-Malic Acid. For most food applications, DL-Malic Acid is interchangeable with L-Malic Acid at the same usage levels. DL-Malic Acid is more cost-effective and has slightly better solubility. L-Malic Acid is preferred for products marketed as "natural" or for winemaking applications.
Malic Acid (E296) gives a smooth, fruity, apple-like sourness with a soft onset and lingering finish. Citric Acid (E330) gives a sharp, clean, citrusy sourness with a quicker onset. Malic Acid is better suited for apple, berry and stone-fruit flavoured products. Citric Acid is more versatile and more widely used in beverages and general food applications. Many confectionery manufacturers blend both for a complex sour profile.
For sour coating, combine DL-Malic Acid with sugar and optionally Citric Acid in a ratio of approximately 1:3 to 1:5 (acid to sugar). Dust or tumble finished lollies in the sour mix. A blend of 60% Malic Acid and 40% Citric Acid gives a popular complex sour profile. Malic Acid alone gives a smoother, fruitier sourness than Citric Acid alone.
Yes. DL-Malic Acid is widely used in apple juice, fruit drinks, sports drinks and flavoured water. It gives a clean, smooth tartness that complements fruit flavours. Typical usage is 0.1–0.5% by weight. Dissolve in water before adding to the formulation for even distribution.
Yes. Malic Acid (E296) is approved under FSANZ Standard 1.3.1. It is also approved in the EU as E296 and GRAS in the USA. It is one of the most widely used food acidulants globally.
Yes. Email info@benario.com.au with your order number for a batch-specific Certificate of Analysis.
The 250g and 500g packs suit home confectioners, bakers and small-scale producers. The 1kg is best value for regular commercial use and food manufacturers.
Have a question not answered here? Contact us at info@benario.com.au — we typically respond within 1 business day.
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