L-Citrulline DL-Malate, or simply citrulline malate, combines l-citrulline a and malic acid. Malate, also known as malic acid, is a compound that occurs naturally in many fruits. It is mostly used as a food additive or preservative. The combination of Citrulline and malic acid has been shown to promote better absorption and increased bioavailability. However, some studies have shown that malic acid, on its own, has the potential to support pain management and promote increased physical energy. Many skincare products also include malic acid for its potential exfoliating properties.
L-Citrulline DL-Malate 2:1 is a compound consisting of L-citrulline combined with malic acid, where malate forms a stable salt complex to improve storage stability, neutralize citrulline alkalinity, and facilitate palatability and gastric tolerance[1][3]. L-Citrulline DL-Malate 2:1 is administered as a nutritional supplement prior to resistance exercise protocols, such as the barbell bench press[2].
[1] Ramírez-Munera, M., Arcusa, R., López-Román, F. J., Ávila Gandía, V., Pérez-Piñero, S., Muñoz-Carrillo, J. C., Luque-Rubia, A. J., & Marhuenda, J. (2025). Impact of Chronic Nitrate and Citrulline Malate Supplementation on Performance and Recovery in Spanish Professional Female Soccer Players: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Nutrients, 17 14. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17142381
[2] Gonzalez, A. M., Spitz, R. W., Ghigiarelli, J. J., Sell, K. M., & Mangine, G. T. (2018). Acute Effect of Citrulline Malate Supplementation on Upper-Body Resistance Exercise Performance in Recreationally Resistance-Trained Men. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 32(11), 3088–3094. https://doi.org/10.1519/jsc.0000000000002373
[3] Wang, X., Fan, X., Chang, J., Li, H., Zhang, X., Zhang, Y., Song, T., Liu, P., Huang, Q., Naharudin, M. N. B., & Deng, H. (2026). Effects of Citrulline Malate Supplementation on Exercise Performance: A Systematic Review and Three-Level Meta-Analysis. Nutrients, 18(12), 1881. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18121881
