12 of the Most Common Uses of Citric Acid

In this article, we want to get useful information about nature and Citric Acid Uses. Since this acidic substance plays a very important role in the production of our consumables such as food, beverages, cosmetics, and detergents, knowing more about it can be useful for us.

This acid is a weak organic acid, which is used in both industrial and food grades and can be found in many foods such as fruits and vegetables.

Approximately 70% of total produced Citric Acid is used in food and beverages, 20% is used for pharmaceuticals and diet, and the remaining 10% is used for detergents. To Buy Citric Acid, just contact our experts.

As mentioned, depending on the grade used, this product is used in various industries, the most important of which we will mention in the following:

Food Industry:

The citric acid (lemon essence) is widely used in the food industry. Having properties such as high solubility in water, sourness, pleasant taste, buffering properties, and nontoxicity in large volumes has increased its use and about 70% of this acid and its salts are used in the food industry.

It is added to canned fruits and vegetables to protect against botulism, a rare but serious disease caused by a bacterium. In frozen foods, fats and oils act as antioxidants and preservatives by regulating pH and creating a salt complex between citrates and trace metals, increasing the shelf life of frozen fish and seafood.

Beverages:

This acid is used as a regulator of environmental acidity and antioxidant agent in carbonated beverages, syrups, juices, tea and coffee, energy drinks, and even ice cream. In addition to regulating the pH of carbonated beverages, it is used to create a fruity and sour taste.

Antioxidant:

Using it as an additive in some fats, oils and frozen processed foods increases the performance of antioxidants. This acid effectively prevents the spoilage of products.

Drugs and Dietary Supplements:

This organic acid is a major ingredient in medicines and supplements. It is added to medicines to help stabilize and preserve active ingredients and is used to enhance the taste of chewable or syrupy medicines.

Cosmetics Industry:

Today, citric acid is also used in the manufacture of beauty products such as lotions and skin masks. As an antioxidant, this substance helps rejuvenate the skin and prevents skin blemishes and premature aging of the skin. In addition, it has properties to eliminate free radicals and strengthen the skin.

However, you should make sure that your skin is not exposed to too much of this substance, as it may cause skin irritation. If your skin is sensitive, it is best not to use products with large amounts of citric acid.

Disinfectants and Cleaners:

Citric acid is a useful disinfectant against a variety of bacteria and viruses and is therefore sold commercially as an effective cleaner to remove hard stains, lime, rust. It is also used as a safe material for ordinary and household cleaners.

Soap Making:

This powder compound is added to many detergents to maintain pH levels, including soaps and shampoos, and helps surfactant cleansers work effectively.

This acid is also used to make soap, in general, it can be said that it creates more foam in the soap and helps to soften it in water.

Agriculture:

 This acid is used by farmers to regulate soil acidity. In areas where the soil is alkaline or the soil must be acidic to grow a particular crop, compounds such as citric acid can be used to adjust the pH of the culture medium. Of course, if used incorrectly, it can damage the plant and you must consult a specialist before use.

Removal of Metal Oxides:

Another of this organic acid is the removal of metal oxides from ferrous and non-ferrous surfaces in the process of cleaning metals.

This compound can be easily used in plating operations, copper plating, leather tanning, printing inks, textiles, detergent compounds, etc.

Dyeing and Printing Inks:

One of the uses mentioned is dyeing and printing inks. In the dyeing industry and production of alkyl-based resins, citric acid in the form of ester and its salts are used as emollients and anti-foaming agents.

Textile Industry:

It is also used in the textile industry to produce high-quality and press-resistant textiles.

Plastics Industry:

In the plastics industry, citrate esters are non-toxic emollients in polymer compounds, protective coatings, and disposable plastic containers.

Conclusion:

Citric acid is a preservative, emulsifier, flavoring, accelerator, and buffer that is widely used in many industries, especially in food, beverage, pharmaceutical, cosmetic products. This colorless, odorless soluble acid poses no danger to human health and is completely harmless.