CAS · 77-92-9
Product Overview
Citric acid丨CAS 77-92-9 is a weak organic acid naturally found in citrus fruits. Commercially, it is produced by fermentation of sugars using Aspergillus niger due to the impracticality of extraction from fruits. Citric acid is a white crystalline powder, highly soluble in water, and widely used for its acidulating, chelating, buffering, and preservative properties. It is one of the most versatile organic acids in use today across food, pharmaceutical, industrial, cosmetic, and cleaning product sectors.
Product Specifications
| Property | Specification |
|---|---|
| Grade | EP8.0 |
| Description | Colourless Or White Crystal |
| Assay | 99.5-100.5% |
| Identification | Pass The Test |
| Clarity & Colour Of Solution | Pass The Test |
| Moisture | 1.0% max |
| Sulphated Ash | 0.1% max |
| Sulphate | 150 ppm max |
| Oxalate | 360 ppm max |
| Heavy Metals | 10 ppm max |
| Readily Carbonizable Substances | Not Exceeding The Standard |
| Aluminium | 0.2 ppm max |
| Bacterial Endotoxins | 0.5 IU/mg max |
Applications
1. Food and Beverage Industry
Citric acid丨CAS 77-92-9 is extensively used as a food additive (E330) for flavor enhancement, preservation, and pH adjustment.
Flavor Enhancer: Adds tartness to candies, soft drinks, jams, and jellies.
Preservative: Inhibits microbial growth by lowering pH in sauces, canned foods, and beverages.
pH Control Agent: Maintains stability and improves shelf life in processed foods.
Emulsifying Agent: Stabilizes emulsions in ice creams and dairy products.
2. Pharmaceutical and Healthcare
Citric acid serves both as an active ingredient and an excipient in many medicinal formulations.
Effervescent Agent: Used in combination with sodium bicarbonate in effervescent tablets and powders.
pH Adjuster and Buffer: Stabilizes pH in solutions for injectable drugs and oral syrups.
Anticoagulant: Chelates calcium in blood collection tubes and dialysis fluids.
Solubilizer: Enhances bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs.
3. Cosmetics and Personal Care
In personal care products, citric acid is valued for its mild exfoliating and pH-regulating properties.
pH Balancer: Adjusts acidity in shampoos, skin cleansers, and creams.
Exfoliant: Promotes skin renewal and brightening in peels and facial products.
Preservative Enhancer: Boosts the performance of natural preservatives.
4. Household and Industrial Cleaners
Citric acid is a core component in eco-friendly cleaning products due to its ability to dissolve mineral deposits.
Descaling Agent: Removes limescale from kettles, coffee machines, and dishwashers.
Stain Remover: Cleans rust, hard water stains, and soap scum in bathrooms and kitchens.
Metal Cleaner: Used in passivation of stainless steel and removal of oxidation.
5. Water Treatment
Citric acid丨CAS 77-92-9 is used to control metal ion concentrations and maintain equipment efficiency.
Chelating Agent: Binds calcium, magnesium, and other metal ions in boilers and cooling systems.
pH Adjuster: Used in reverse osmosis and other water purification processes.
6. Agriculture and Animal Feed
Citric acid is added to feeds and fertilizers to improve nutrient absorption and product stability.
Feed Additive: Enhances growth performance and nutrient uptake in livestock.
Soil Amendment: Improves solubility of nutrients like phosphorus in soil.
7. Textile and Dye Industry
Citric acid is used for dye fixing and pH regulation during the textile dyeing process.
Dye Fixing Agent: Improves color fastness of natural dyes.
pH Control: Ensures optimal dye binding conditions.
Benefits
1. Biodegradability and Safety
Citric acid丨CAS 77-92-9 is non-toxic, biodegradable, and generally recognized as safe (GRAS), making it suitable for food, pharmaceutical, and personal care use without harmful environmental impact.
2. Multifunctional Performance
Its acidulant, chelating, buffering, antioxidant, and preservative properties allow it to replace multiple synthetic additives in a single formulation.
3. Mildness and Compatibility
Citric acid is gentle on skin and mucous membranes, making it ideal for sensitive formulations, including baby products and cosmetics.
4. Metal Chelation Capability
It effectively binds to heavy metals, helping to reduce their reactivity and toxicity in both industrial and environmental settings.
5. Environmentally Friendly Cleaner
As a non-corrosive and biodegradable descaler, citric acid is a safer alternative to phosphates and harsh acids in green cleaning products.
6. Improved Product Stability
Citric acid helps maintain stability in aqueous solutions, preventing degradation due to pH shifts or microbial activity.
7. Cost-Effective Production
Due to large-scale fermentation methods, citric acid is relatively inexpensive to produce, making it widely accessible across industries.
Conclusion
Citric acid丨CAS 77-92-9 is a highly functional and environmentally friendly organic compound with broad industrial, medical, and domestic uses. Its natural origin, safety profile, and versatility make it an essential ingredient in modern formulations for food, health care, cleaning, and beyond. As sustainability and regulatory pressures increase, citric acid's importance as a green alternative will only continue to grow.
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