citric acid monohydrate

What is citric acid monohydrate

**Introduction to Citric Acid Monohydrate** Citric acid monohydrate is a versatile organic compound widely used in food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and industrial applications. As a natural preservative and acidulant, it enhances flavor, regulates acidity, and acts as a chelating agent in food and beverages. In pharmaceuticals, it serves as an excipient and stabilizer, while in cleaning products, it removes limescale and rust due to its mild chelating properties. The monohydrate form contains one water molecule per citric acid molecule, ensuring stability and ease of handling. Known for its safety, biodegradability, and effectiveness, citric acid monohydrate is a preferred choice in eco-friendly and consumer-friendly formulations.

Preparation Process: Citric acid monohydrate is prepared by fermenting sugars (e.g., molasses) using *Aspergillus niger* under controlled conditions. The fermentation broth is filtered to remove biomass, then treated with calcium hydroxide to precipitate calcium citrate. The precipitate is washed and reacted with sulfuric acid to liberate citric acid. The solution is purified via activated carbon treatment and ion exchange, followed by evaporation under vacuum to concentrate. Crystallization occurs at 20–25°C, yielding citric acid monohydrate crystals, which are separated by centrifugation, washed with cold water, and dried at 30–40°C to retain the monohydrate form.

Usage Scenarios: Citric acid monohydrate is widely used as an acidulant, flavor enhancer, and preservative in food and beverages, including soft drinks, candies, and jams. In pharmaceuticals, it acts as an excipient in effervescent tablets and syrups, aiding stability and absorption. It serves as a chelating agent in cosmetics and personal care products, regulating pH and preventing oxidation. Industrially, it is employed in cleaning agents for descaling and removing hard water stains due to its chelating properties. In biotechnology, it functions as a buffer in enzyme reactions and cell culture media. Additionally, it is used in water treatment to inhibit scale formation and in textiles for dyeing and printing processes.

citric acid monohydrate Basic Info

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