By Rachelle Dragani
Updated Mar 24, 2022
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Fumaric acid is a naturally occurring dicarboxylic acid that scientists also produce synthetically for use in a variety of everyday products, from foods and medicines to dyes and cleaning agents. Understanding its properties and roles can clarify how it affects both our diet and our skin health.
Fumaric acid is a natural compound found in plants and produced in human skin under sunlight. Its synthetic form is a common food additive that imparts a sour taste and enhances preservation.
As an (E)-2-butenedioic acid, fumaric acid appears as a fine white or colorless crystalline powder. In the Northern Hemisphere’s moderate to cool climates, it is isolated from lichens, bolete mushrooms, and Iceland moss. The slight tartness of these plants is due to fumaric acid, a flavor profile that manufacturers replicate for culinary applications.
Like vitamin D, the body synthesizes fumaric acid when skin is exposed to direct sunlight. Research into this photochemical pathway is ongoing, and its exact physiological role remains under investigation. Notably, individuals with psoriasis often fail to produce fumaric acid in response to sunlight, a deficiency that may influence skin barrier function. Some dermatologists recommend fumaric acid supplements or baths with fumaric‑rich herbs to alleviate psoriasis flare‑ups, although definitive therapeutic mechanisms are still being explored.
Beyond its natural presence, fumaric acid is manufactured on a large scale for use as a food additive. Because it is also a normal constituent of the human body, it is generally regarded as safe and is widely accepted in the food industry. Its primary functions include adding or intensifying sour flavor, lowering pH to inhibit mold growth, and extending shelf life. Manufacturers may incorporate fumaric acid into products such as tortillas, breads, wine, fruit juices, packaged desserts, and jellies, depending on brand formulation.
Synthetic fumaric acid also appears in household cleaning products, certain industrial dyes, and polyester resin formulations, underscoring its versatility across consumer goods.
From the skin to the kitchen, fumaric acid plays diverse roles that merit greater public awareness and scientific insight.
