Malonic acid is a small-molecule dicarboxylic acid It is commonly used to facilitate the cross-linking of polysaccharide molecules such as corn starch and potato starch by forming covalent linkages via its two carboxyl groups Malonic acid acts primarily through condensation or esterification reactions to increase intermolecular connectivity and modulate the mechanical properties of biopolymer matrices Based on these properties malonic acid holds research potential in pharmaceutical excipient formulation drug delivery system development and biomaterial engineering studies