Food Grade Citric Acid Monohydrate as Chelating Agent pH Buffer and Preservative

Citric Acid Monohydrate is an important organic acid and multifunctional additive, renowned for its excellent chelating ability, pleasant acidity, and high safety profile. It plays a critical role in the food, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries. The production primarily utilizes microbial fermentation, followed by crystallization and purification processes to obtain the monohydrate crystal form.

❋ Aliases: 3-Hydroxy-3-carboxypentanedioic Acid Monohydrate
❋ English Name: Citric Acid Monohydrate
❋ Chemical Formula: C₆H₈O₇·H₂O
❋ Molecular Weight: 210.14
❋ CAS Number: 5949-29-1

Key Properties: Mild and pleasant acidity, excellent chelating ability, high water solubility, good biocompatibility

Advanced Application Scenarios

1. "Flavor Enhancer and Preservative" in Food & Beverage

• Used in carbonated beverages as an acidulant, providing a refreshing sourness and stabilizing pH within 2.8-3.5.

• Acts as a synergist in antioxidant mixtures for oils and fats, extending shelf life by over 30%.

2. "Effervescent Reactant and Stabilizer" in Pharmaceuticals

• A key component in effervescent tablets and granules, reacting with carbonates to produce CO₂, ensuring rapid disintegration within 2 minutes.

• Used as a pH buffer and stabilizer in liquid formulations, such as syrups and injections, to maintain drug stability.

3. "Green Chelating Agent and Cleaning Booster" in Industrial & Household Cleaning

• Replaces phosphates in eco-friendly detergents, effectively chelating Ca²⁺/Mg²⁺ ions, improving cleaning efficiency without causing eutrophication.

• Used in metal surface cleaning and passivation, removing oxides and enhancing corrosion resistance.

4. "Performance Modifier and Cross-linking Aid" in New Materials & Cosmetics

• Serves as a cross-linking agent and modifier in biodegradable polymer (e.g., PLA) synthesis, enhancing thermal stability and mechanical properties.

• Used as a pH adjuster and antioxidant in cosmetics (e.g., lotions, creams), ensuring skin compatibility and formulation stability.

Technological Breakthroughs and Sustainable Development

Fermentation Technology Innovation

• Developed high-yield strain screening and metabolic engineering technologies, increasing fermentation titers to over 200 g/L and reducing production costs by 25%.

• Implemented membrane filtration and continuous ion exchange purification processes, reducing water consumption by 40% and chemical usage by 30%.

Crystallization Process Optimization

• Adopted controlled cooling crystallization and ultrasonic-assisted technologies, achieving crystal size distribution (CSD) uniformity with over 90% of particles between 100-500 µm, improving flowability.

• Utilized fluidized bed drying for the monohydrate, precisely controlling moisture content between 7.5%-8.5% to prevent dehydration or caking.

Sustainability & Green Manufacturing

• Utilizes agricultural residues (e.g., molasses, cassava starch) as fermentation feedstocks, reducing reliance on grain-based raw materials.

• Implements a "Zero Liquid Discharge" (ZLD) system, recycling process wastewater and recovering valuable by-products like gypsum.

Quality Control & Compliance

• Upgraded to HPLC and ICP-MS for online quality monitoring, ensuring key impurity levels (e.g., oxalic acid ≤ 100 ppm, heavy metals ≤ 5 ppm).

• Complies with major international standards: USP, EP, FCC, and JECFA.

Technical Advantages

Quality Advantages

• Assay (on anhydrous basis): 99.5% - 100.5%

• Readily Carbonizable Substances: Passes test (USP)

• Oxalate: ≤ 100 ppm

Physical Characteristics

• Appearance: White or almost white, crystalline powder

• Solubility: Very soluble in water, freely soluble in ethanol (96%)

Application Support

• Provides technical data sheets (TDS) and formulation advice for specific applications (e.g., optimal usage levels in beverages, compatibility in cleaning agents).

• Offers samples for customer trials and assists in troubleshooting processing issues.