What does malate mean?
Malate is a chemical term for an ion or salt derived from malic acid. In living organisms, it has a particularly important role in cellular metabolism. Malate is one of the intermediates in the citric acid cycle, where it participates in the controlled transfer of energy from nutrients to ATP. It can also be converted into oxaloacetate, a compound involved in producing glucose. This makes malate a useful focus of research in biochemistry, medicine, nutrition, and exercise physiology, where changes in malate concentration may be studied alongside related metabolites. The word is more common in technical and scientific writing than in everyday speech. Although malate can refer to salts more generally, biological discussions often use it for the hydrogen malate ion, which is the form involved in these reactions.
nounA salt or anion of malic acid, especially the hydrogen malate ion involved in metabolism. In biochemistry, malate is an important intermediate in the citric acid cycle and in gluconeogenesis.
- A salt of malic acid or the anion formed when malic acid loses a hydrogen ion; in biochemistry, the form commonly involved in the citric acid cycle and related metabolic reactions.
"The enzyme malate dehydrogenase converts malate into oxaloacetate during cellular respiration."
"The level of malate in the blood was measured as part of the metabolic assessment."
"Malate dehydrogenase uses NAD+ to oxidize malate to oxaloacetate."
The plural is used when referring to different malate salts or to multiple quantities or forms of malate.
"The researchers compared the malates extracted from several samples."
Malate is a metabolic crossroads: it helps cells turn food into usable energy while also providing a route toward making glucose.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does malate come from?
Malate was formed in English from malic acid with the chemical suffix -ate, a convention used to name anions and salts. The name malic ultimately comes through Latin malum, meaning “apple,” reflecting the traditional connection between malic acid and apples. Related chemical terms such as malonic and malonyl also belong to a broader group of names associated with the apple or apple-like origin.
Related word forms
How malate is actually used
Malate is primarily a technical term used in chemistry, biochemistry, physiology, and related fields. In biochemistry, the unqualified form commonly refers to the malate ion rather than a particular salt. Usage is international, though pronunciation and presentation may vary slightly by region and specialist context.
Easily confused with malate
Malic acid is the neutral acid, whereas malate refers to its ions or salts.