Citric Acid 柠檬酸 USP-EP-BP/Food/Pharma Grade

Food grade. Powder form. USP / FCC / BP / EP

Anhydrous form.

Citric acid is a naturally occurring acid which is found in large quantities in fruits – notably citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons and certain berries. It is a relatively weak acid and has a distinct, sour taste.

Role in Food Industry
It is widely used in the food industry as an additive because of its low price and its ease of production. The acid is declared safe to consume by all major government food regulatory bodies.
When added to food products or beverages, the acid provides a sharp, sour taste which increases appetite and enhances flavor. Besides its use as an additive, the citric acid is also commonly used as a natural food preservative.
By increasing acidity, the low pH conditions produced prevent bacterial and fungal growth, therefore prolonging the life of the food or drink. It also helps preserve flavor and maintains pH at a suitable level to prevent food degradation, especially canned food. The acid is also heavily used in the preparation and production of Vitamin C as a flavoring.


In Skin Care Products and Detergents
This acid is also commonly found in various natural skin products. It is added to adjust the pH level of creams, lotions and gels to coincide with our natural skin pH level. When topically applied to the skin, it acts as an antioxidant, which helps conceal signs of aging. The acid also exfoliates the skin by removing dead skin cells from the top layer of the skin, thus encouraging new cell growth. Since it is a naturally occurring substance, it rarely causes an allergic reaction and is suitable for most skin types.
In detergents, shampoos and soap, it is added so that foam is more easily produced. It also increases the efficiency of these products as it helps dissolve stains more quickly. This acid is favored over other additives because it is environmentally friendly, biodegradable and is relatively harmless.

What Is Citric Acid Used For?

1. Food Additive
Citric acid can be found in many different processed foods and soft drinks. It is an effective organic preservative and sour taste adjuster.

2. Water Softener
Citric acid’s chemical properties as a weak organic acid make it a powerful water softener. It works by breaking down the trace amounts of metal found in water, making it an ideal all-natural choice for treating hard water.


3. Household Cleaner
Add a small percentage of citric acid to hot water or your cleaning liquid and use it to clean hard water stains and kitchen messes. For hard-to-remove stains, you can soak a paper towel in the mixture and lay it on top of the stain.
The citrusy smell of the acid is pleasant, so it works well as both a cleaner and a deodorizer.


4. Bath Bombs
You can make your own bath bombs—fizzy, effervescent bath soap/salt—by using citric acid. The citric acid is completely safe to use in the bathtub.


5. Carpet Cleaner
Applying a 10 percent pharmaceutical-grade citric acid to discolored carpeting can help to remove stains.

6. Descaling Kettles
Fill your kettle halfway with water, and bring it to a boil. Once it has boiled, turn it off and add 1 – 2 tablespoons of citric acid powder to the water. Allow the water and citric acid mixture to sit in the kettle for 15 to 20 minutes, then discard

7. Anti-Dandruff
Defective keratinization leads to dandruff.Citric Acid is used in hair care products as an anti dandruff agent and in shampoos. Being an anti oxidant, it works to balance the alkaline levels in the body.


8. Kidney Stones
Citric acid, being able to chelate with calcium is a great boon to kidney stone sufferers. Most kidney stones arise from accumulation of excess calcium in the kidneys and citric acid’s ability to bind itself to calcium and remove it from the body is a great deterrent to the painful and unbearable suffering endured by several people due to kidney stones.


9. Blood Acidity
Conditions such as diabetes, faulty kidneys, cancer and even excessive alcohol can create such strange condition, when the blood becomes more acidic than allowed, causing fatigue and mental disorders. Inopportune treatment they say can even push you to death.


10 Uses of Citric Acid in Skin Care and Cosmetics
Exfoliate and boost the texture of the skin with citric acid

- Because of citric acid, juices of citrus fruits are acidic in nature and acquire bleaching characteristics, which help in restricting its melanin production. Melanin is responsible for blemishes, so reducing its production would naturally reduce blemishes.

- Citric Acid is a type of alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA), which exfoliates the skin and as a result of which it removes dead skin cells in the pores of skin. Getting rid of dead cells opens the pores of the skin, thus making way for the penetration of skincare products.

- Citric Acid helps loosen the damaged layers of skin. As a result, healthier, younger skin underneath the spoiled skin, comes to the top, giving you fairer skin and an effervescent complexion.

- Antioxidants in this acid help repair skin, and fortify blood vessels.

Possible Side Effects
While it is generally safe, side effects do occur if an excess of the acid was used or consumed. Some of these side effects include stomach cramps, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. People with sensitive skin should avoid using creams containing citric acid as it may cause irritation or a rash to form. The acid is also believed to erode the tooth enamel when consumed frequently, which leads to an increased susceptibility of tooth decay, infections and other various complications.


For those with kidney and congestive heart diseases, citric acid supplements are a strict no. Pregnant women with higher levels of blood potassium and ulcers must take care, as the citric acid content in the supplements may interact with aluminum salts to create a problem.

CAS: 77-92-9
INCI: Citric Acid
HS Code: 1518004000