Citric Acid Monohydrate - USP Food Grade

Product Overview

Citric Acid Monohydrate – USP Food Grade is a high-purity white crystalline powder with the chemical formula C₆H₈O₇·H₂O. This product meets strict USP-NF Monograph requirements, making it the standard choice for food, beverage, and industrial manufacturing. Commonly referred to as Sour Salt or E330, it provides precise acidity control, chelation, and preservative action.

With a typical assay of 99.9% and a specific gravity of 1.55, this compound ensures consistency in sensitive formulations. As a monohydrate, the crystal structure includes one water molecule, offering high solubility in water. It is widely utilized for flavor enhancement in beverages, pH modulation in chemical processing, and as a chelating agent to stabilize metal ions in manufacturing environments. The material is free from toxic impurities, aligning with stringent quality standards for food-grade ingredients.

Key Properties

• Appearance: White crystalline powder
• Grade: USP Food Grade
• CAS Number: 5949-29-1
• Chemical Formula: C₆H₈O₇·H₂O
• Molecular Weight: 210.14 g/mol
• Solubility: Highly soluble in water
• Assay: 99.5–100.5% (Typical 99.9%)
• Specific Gravity (20°C): 1.54–1.56
• Melting Point: 153–156°C
• Chloride (Cl): ≤ 100 ppm
• Sulfate (SO₄²⁻): ≤ 1500 ppm

Common Applications

• Food & Beverage Preservative: Acts as a natural preservative and flavor enhancer (E330) in soft drinks, candies, and processed foods.
• Industrial pH Control: Used to lower pH in water treatment and industrial processing fluids.
• Chelating Agent: Sequesters metal ions in formulations to improve stability and prevent oxidation.
• Cleaning & Descaling: Effective for removing limescale and rust in industrial cleaning applications due to its mild acidic nature.
• Surface Preparation: Utilized in metal finishing and passivation processes.

Safety Precautions

Handle in accordance with standard industrial hygiene practices. While this product is USP Food Grade, pure Citric Acid is a strong irritant in its concentrated powder form. Wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including gloves and eye protection, to prevent irritation from dust. Store in a cool, dry place in tightly sealed containers (HDPE or glass) to prevent moisture absorption and caking.

First Aid: In case of eye contact, rinse thoroughly with water for several minutes. If on skin, wash with soap and water. If inhaled, move to fresh air. Refer to the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for detailed emergency procedures.

Benefits

USP-NF Compliant – Certified food grade purity for safe use in consumable products.
Versatile Acidity – Provides consistent pH reduction and buffering capacity.
High Solubility – Dissolves rapidly in aqueous solutions for efficient processing.

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