Fumaric acid facts for kids
Fumaric acid is a natural chemical substance found in many plants, like mushrooms and moss. Your body also makes small amounts of it. In the world of food, it's used to help keep food fresh and add a tart taste. You might see it listed as E 297 on food labels. It's often used instead of citric acid (which is found in lemons). In medicine, fumaric acid is used to help treat some skin conditions, such as Psoriasis.
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What is Fumaric Acid?
Fumaric acid is a special kind of chemical that helps things stay fresh. It's known as an "acid," but it's safe to use in food and medicine. It has a slightly fruity taste and is often added to drinks, candies, and baked goods to make them a bit sour or tangy.
Where Can We Find Fumaric Acid?
You can find fumaric acid naturally in many places!
- It's in some plants like:
* Boletus mushrooms * Lichen (a type of moss-like plant) * Iceland moss * Some types of fumitory plants
- Your own body also produces a little bit of fumaric acid as part of its normal processes.
How is Fumaric Acid Used?
Fumaric acid has a few important jobs:
- In Food: It's a popular food additive because it helps preserve food and gives it a tart flavor. It's often used in things like:
* Fruit juices * Baked goods * Desserts * Candy * It helps keep these foods from spoiling quickly.
- In Medicine: Doctors use it to help people with certain diseases, especially skin conditions like Psoriasis. Psoriasis is a condition where skin cells grow too fast, and fumaric acid can help slow that down.
Who Discovered Its Importance?
A famous scientist named Albert Szent-Györgyi did a lot of important work with fumaric acid. In 1937, he won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry! He discovered how fumaric acid plays a key role in how our bodies create energy from food. This was a huge step in understanding how living things work.
