---

Product Specifications

Item Specification Product Name Citric Acid Abbreviation 2-Hydroxypropane-1,2,3-tricarboxylic Acid CAS Number 77-92-9 Molecular Formula C₆H₈O₇ Molecular Weight 192.12 Appearance White to Off-White Crystalline Powder or Granule Assay ≥99.5% Test Method HPLC Shelf Life 24 Months Storage Condition Store in a Cool, Dry Place, Sealed Away from Direct Strong Light and Excess Moisture

Why Is Citric Acid So Popular?

The widespread global popularity of Citric Acid is closely linked to its natural origin from citrus fruits, decades of massive verified food safety records, and unmatched versatility as the most cost-effective general-purpose acidulant across the entire food, supplement and beverage industries. As a naturally occurring tricarboxylic acid that exists widely in lemons, oranges and various berry fruits, Citric Acid plays irreplaceable essential roles across multiple critical formulation functions:

• Gentle natural sour flavor adjustment for all kinds of food products
• Precise pH value regulation across nearly all formulation systems
• Antioxidant synergy to extend finished product shelf life
• Metal ion chelation to prevent ingredient discoloration and degradation
• Foam and texture stabilization for beverage and confectionery products

Research shows that Citric Acid is also a key intermediate component of the human body's natural tricarboxylic acid energy cycle, making it fully compatible with human metabolic systems. Its mild, harmonious sour taste, high cost performance and excellent safety profile have made Citric Acid the most widely used foundational acidulant in the global food, functional beverage and supplement manufacturing industries.

Key Benefits of Citric Acid

• 1. Delivers Harmonious, Mild and Refreshing Sour Flavor

Citric Acid provides a smooth, gentle, citrus-like refreshing sour taste that spreads evenly across the palate, no sharp astringent or irritating aftertaste. It perfectly enhances the natural fruit flavor of almost all types of beverages, candies and processed food products, creating a balanced and pleasant taste experience that consumers are universally familiar with.

• 2. Ensures Precise, Stable pH Regulation

Citric Acid features highly suitable acid dissociation constants across multiple pH intervals, supporting accurate and consistent pH adjustment for nearly all food and supplement formulation systems. It effectively maintains the optimal pH environment for sensitive active ingredients including vitamins, plant extracts and probiotics, protecting their potency and extending finished product shelf life dramatically.

• 3. Acts as Powerful Metal Ion Chelator and Antioxidant Synergist

Citric Acid can effectively chelate trace heavy metal ions in the formulation system, completely blocking the catalytic oxidation of active ingredients caused by metal ions, preventing product discoloration, flavor deterioration and nutrient loss. When combined with other antioxidant ingredients such as Vitamin C, it can multiply the overall antioxidant performance of the entire formulation.

• 4. Supports Energy Metabolism and Nutrient Absorption

As a natural intermediate of the human body's TCA energy cycle, proper intake of Citric Acid helps promote normal energy metabolism, and it can also significantly improve the solubility and absorption rate of mineral nutrients such as calcium, iron and zinc in the digestive tract, enhancing the actual utilization efficiency of mineral supplement products.

• 5. Possesses Industry-Leading Verified Safety and Wide Compatibility

Citric Acid has been approved as a safe food ingredient by food regulatory authorities across nearly all countries and regions worldwide, with more than a century of massive public consumption history. It features extremely high chemical stability, no unpleasant odor, and perfect compatibility with almost all common food raw materials and active nutritional ingredients, making it suitable for almost every food processing scenario.

Applications

Citric Acid is an extremely versatile universal ingredient adopted across all major fast-growing product categories:

• Carbonated Drinks, Fruit Juices and Functional Beverages
• Sour Candy, Jellies, Chewing Gum and Confectionery Products
• pH Regulator for Jam, Preserve and Canned Food Products
• Antioxidant Stabilizer for Vitamin and Mineral Supplement Formulations
• Acidulant for Fermented Dairy, Yogurt and Plant Milk Products
• Flavor Enhancer for Seasoning, Sauce and Snack Products
• Cleaning and Descaling Additive for Food Processing Equipment
• Mild pH Adjuster for Skincare and Personal Care Products

Common dosage forms include:

• Anhydrous Crystalline Granules
• Monohydrate Fine Powder Blends
• Liquid Citric Acid Syrup
• Beverage Additive Blends
• Confectionery Acid Pre-Mixes
• Nutrient Absorption Enhancer for Mineral Supplements
• Preservative Synergist for Food Products
• Personal Care pH Regulator Additives

Citric Acid vs Other Common Acidulant Ingredients

While the food acidulant category continues to develop, Citric Acid remains the global industry standard universal acidulant with unmatched cost performance and full-scenario compatibility.

Ingredient Primary Function Citric Acid Universal General-Purpose Acidulant, Citrus Origin, Balanced Mild Sour Taste, Maximum Cost Performance Malic Acid Apple-Derived Acidulant, Long-Lasting Sour Profile for Extended Fruit Flavor Tartaric Acid Grape-Derived Acidulant, Bright Instant Sour Taste, Ideal for Effervescent Formulations Lactic Acid Fermented Mild Acidulant, Compatible for Fermented Dairy and Pickle Products Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) Acidulant + Nutritional Antioxidant, Dual Functional Ingredient Fumaric Acid Low Cost High Thermal Stability Acid, Suitable for High-Temperature Baked Food Products

Leading food and supplement manufacturers very often combine Citric Acid with other complementary acidulants to create custom tailored perfectly balanced sour flavor profiles that match different product positioning and specific consumer taste preferences.

Market Opportunity

The global functional food and beverage manufacturing market continues to maintain strong steady growth as consumers increasingly demand natural, mild, approachable flavor experiences and high quality stable finished products. Several key trends are continuously driving the rising market demand for high-purity food grade Citric Acid:

• Global massive beverage and processed food market that keeps expanding year by year
• Fast growing zero-sugar low-calorie beverage market that requires large amount of high quality acidulants for flavor balance
• Universal recognition of Citric Acid's natural citrus origin and high safety profile among consumers
• Expanding mineral supplement category that demands efficient absorption enhancers
• Centuries of verified mass consumption history that fully validates Citric Acid's reliable performance

As a result, Citric Acid remains the most commercially attractive, irreplaceable foundational formulation ingredient for brands developing mass market high quality food and wellness products for all consumer groups.

Frequently Asked Questions

1.What is Citric Acid?
Citric Acid is a natural tricarboxylic acid widely extracted from citrus fruits, the most common universal food grade acidulant, flavor regulator and formulation stabilizer used across the entire food and supplement industry.

2.Is Citric Acid naturally found in food?
Yes. Large amounts of natural Citric Acid exist in lemons, oranges and other citrus fruits, and it also naturally appears in various berry fruits, fermented products, and is a natural intermediate during the human body's normal energy metabolism process.

3.What is the difference between anhydrous Citric Acid and monohydrate Citric Acid?
Anhydrous Citric Acid contains zero crystal water, which is more suitable for low moisture content products such as confectionery and dry powder formulations, while monohydrate Citric Acid contains one crystal water molecule, with better fluidity and higher cost performance for general liquid food and beverage applications.

4.What formulations can Citric Acid be used in?
Citric Acid features excellent water solubility, high thermal stability, no irritating odor and extremely wide ingredient compatibility, suitable for beverages, candies, jams, dairy products, mineral supplements, personal care products and nearly all common food and nutritional product dosage forms.

5.What purity level is typically available?
Premium food grade Citric Acid is commonly produced at purity levels of 99.5% or higher, fully meeting global food safety and supplement manufacturing regulatory standards.

Looking for a Reliable Citric Acid Supplier?

As demand for high quality mild flavor food and stable performance nutritional products continues to grow, ingredient purity, heavy metal residue compliance, batch consistency and supply reliability have become increasingly critical for food, beverage and supplement brands and manufacturers.

Nutrient Trail supplies high-purity Citric Acid designed for dietary supplement, functional food, and beverage processing applications. Comprehensive technical documentation, including specifications, COA, and quality-related information, is available to support product development and commercialization.