Tripotassium citrate 1AQ
General Product Information
| Article | Tripotassium citrate 1AQ |
| Synonyms | E332(ii), Tripotassium citrate monohydrate, Tripotassium 2-hydroxypropane-1,2,3-tricarboxylate, Potassium citrate |
| CAS No. | 6100-05-6 |
| EEG No. | – |
| EINECS No. | 212-755-5 |
| IMO | – |
| Tariff Code | 29181500 |
| UN No. | – |
| VLG/ADR | – |
Description
Tripotassium citrate is the potassium salt of citric acid and is used commercially as a food additive, buffer and complexing agent. It occurs as a white, crystalline powder that is highly soluble in water. Because of its stabilizing, pH-regulating and chelating properties, it is widely used in the Food Industry, Pharmaceutical Industry and Chemical Industry.
Characteristics
- Odor: Odorless.
- Hygroscopic: Yes.
- Color: White.
- Grade: Food.
- Solubility: Soluble in water; insoluble in alcohol.
- Taste: Slightly salty/sour.
- Shape: crystalline powder or granule.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Chemical Structure | K3C6H5O7 |
| Molar Weight | 306.39 g/mol |
| Melting Point | >180 °C |
| Boiling Point | – |
| Density | – |
| Refractive Index | – |
| pH | 8-9 (on 1% solution) |
Interessing Links
- Codex Alimentarius (FAO/WHO) – Guidelines and standards for food additives and ingredients.
- European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) – For chemical information and regulations.
- European Food Information Council (EFIC)
- European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) – Information on the safety and uses of food additives and ingredients.
- PubChem – Potassium citrate – Chemical information by the National Library of Medicine of the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NIH-NCBI).
- Wikipedia – Potassium citrate
Applications
Tripotassium citrate is applied in various ways, for instance:
1. Food Industry
Tripotassium citrate, as food additive E332(ii), is used as an acidity regulator, stabilizer and emulsifier. It helps regulate the acidity of products and improves the texture of certain foods. For example, it is used in soft drinks, dairy products, sports drinks and dietary supplements as a potassium source.
2. Pharmaceutical Industry
In drugs, it acts as a buffering agent and helps at preventing kidney stones by making urine less acidic. It is also used in oral electrolyte solutions.
3. Industrial Applications
Tripotassium citrate is used as a chelating agent in the Chemical Industry, and as an anti-caking agent in Technical Applications.