Research Progress on the Physiological Function of L-malic Acid and Its Application in Ruminant Production

L-malic acid exists widely in apples,pears and other fruits.It is one of the important members of tricarboxylic acid cycle.Its taste is close to the natural apple's sour,and it has some characteristics such as high acidity,soft,long residence time.L-malic acid has been widely used in some quality beverages,food industry at present.In animal production,L-malic acid is used as acidifier and an inhibitor of pathogenic microorganism.L-malic acid by promoting the utilization of S.ruminantium on lactic acid,the production of propionic acid and the concentration of CO₂ to prevent ruminal acidosis,and then to improve the utilization ratio of dietary energy and animal production performance.This article is a summary of the physiological functions of L-malic acid and its application in the production of ruminant in order to provide scientific theoretical basis for the rational and efficient use of L-malic acid in ruminant production.