Progress in synthesis and application of fumaric acid

Fumaric acid is an important four-carbon platform compound and also a fine chemical, which has a wide use in the fields of food, medicine, chemical engineering, paint, resin and plasticizer etc. Its physical and chemical properties and market prospect are introduced. The synthesis and research development of fumaric acid are summarized, the strongpoints and shortcomings of chemical and biological synthesis are concluded in detail. From the analysis above the fumaric acid production from microbial fermentation has a good future with the possibility of sustainable development and environment-friendly. The metabolic network and flux distribution of fumaric acid in Rhizopus oryzae are analyzed. Further outlook is put forward that the technology of metabolic engineering can be used to control and improve the biosynthesis of fumaric acid from fermentation of Rhizopus oryzae as the pattern microbe.