Fumaric Acid

Fumaric acid is a white crystalline compound and is one of two isomeric unsaturated dicarboxylic acids, the other being maleic acid. It has a fruit-like taste and the salts and esters of fumaric acid are known as fumarates. It is found in fumitory, bolete mushrooms, lichen, and Iceland moss. Fumarate is an intermediate in the citric acid cycle used by cells to produce energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate from food. Uses: Treatment of psoriasis, an acidulent in food, a substitute for tartaric acid or citric acid.