PRODUCT OVERVIEW
WHAT IS FUMARIC ACID ?
Fumaric acid is the chemical compound with the formula HO2CCH=CHCO2H. This colorless crystalline compound is one of two isomeric unsaturated dicarboxylic acids, the other being malefic acid wherein the carboxylic acid groups are cis. It has a fruit-like taste. Fumaric acid is found in fumitory (Fumaria officinalis), bolete mushrooms (specifically Boletus fomentarius var. pseudo-igniarius), lichen, and moss related to malic acid, the ionized form of fumaric acid, fumarate, is used by cells (in the TCA cycle) to produce energy from food. Human skin naturally produces fumaric acid when exposed to sunlight.
Fumaric acid is inexpensive, so it is typically purchased rather than prepared. It was first prepared from bromosuccinic acid. A traditional synthesis involves oxidation of furfural (from the processing of maize) using sodium chlorate in the presence of a vanadium-based catalyst. The chemical properties of fumaric acid can be anticipated from its component functional groups. This weak acid forms a diester, it undergoes additions across the double bond, and it is an excellent dienophile.
Biochemical aspects
Fumaric acid is a normal constituent of tissues as an intermediate in the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Distribution of fumaricacid in rat tissue has been studied by partition chromatography and it was found that blood contained 3 mg/l, brain tissue 150 mg/kg, kidney tissue 95 mg/kg, liver 78 mg/kg and muscle 23 mg/kg.
