What is Citric Acid?
Citric acid, also known as lemon juice concentrate, is an organic acid found in many foods, especially fruits and vegetables, with a particular abundance in citrus fruits. There are two well-known forms of citric acid: anhydrous citric acid (without water) and monohydrate citric acid (with water). The monohydrate form is produced by crystallizing cold water, while the anhydrous form is obtained through hot water crystallization.
An additional type is fine citric acid, which has a finer particle size and is used in the pharmaceutical industry. This substance has a distinct sour taste, and due to its acidity, it can inhibit the growth of bacteria. Therefore, it is used in the food industry as a preservative, acid regulator, and antimicrobial agent. Citric acid is one of the most widely used acidic substances in the food industry.
Packaging: 25 kg bag
CAS NO: 77-92-9
Formula: C₆H₈O₇
Uses of Citric Acid:
Dry citric acid is utilized in the flour, bread, and pasta industries to improve product quality and shelf life. In the beverage industry, citric acid serves as a flavor enhancer, acidifier, and preservative. It is commonly used in soft drinks, fruit juices, and sports drinks to enhance flavor and improve the shelf life of these products.
Citric acid is used as a flavor enhancer in beverages to create a sour taste and enhance the overall flavor of the product. It serves as an antioxidant in the beverage industry to prevent oxidation and prolong product shelf life. Additionally, citric acid acts as a pH regulator in drinks, helping to maintain pH levels and improve product stability. In the soft drink industry, citric acid is utilized to impart acidity to the product.
Due to its natural nature and presence in certain fruits and vegetables, the use of citric acid in the pharmaceutical industry is permitted and poses no health concerns. It is also employed to preserve and stabilize active compounds in certain medications.
In frozen foods, fats, and oils, citric acid functions as a pH regulator, antioxidant, and preservative, extending their shelf life. Other applications of citric acid include its use in the paint industry, oil extraction, metalworking fluids, and food packaging.
