Definition and Usage Areas of Citric acid

Citric acid is frequently used in many areas of modern industry. The chemical formula of the crystalline and colorless component, which is a very important compound in terms of meeting many needs of the ever-increasing world population, is expressed as “C6H8O7”. C6H8O7, which is present in the structure of almost all plants, is involved in many of the cellular activities in nature. If we talk about the usage areas of C6H8O7; It is involved in active areas such as the food sector, agriculture sector, metal production and processing, pharmaceutical sector and beverage sector.

C6H8O7, pronounced “Lemon Salt”, is found in 80% of lemons used in many countries of the world and also in Turkey. C6H8O7, a non-toxic component, is in crystalline form. It is most preferred in the chemical industry because it is a very separator. It was spread by Carl Wilhelm in 1784 by crystallization of lemon juice and started to be used in many sectors in a short time.

C6H8O7, which we continue to use as an additive in our foods since the end of the 19th century, has become a component that has become increasingly widespread in the food sector. However, although citric acid is the most abundant substance in lemons and some fruits, it is difficult and costly to produce citric acid from fruits and vegetables, so this need is met by producing sugar. Citric Acid, which is produced from sugar by yeast and various bacteria, is brought ready for use in many areas.

Citric acid, which is used in canned products, is preferred because it provides long-term preservation of foods. Citric acid, which is found in many alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, is preferred as a preservative additive in other food industry products.

It is easily oxidized in the case of different oxidizing substances such as hypochlorite, persulfate, permanganate, periodate, hypobromite, chromate, manganese dioxide, nitric acid. Trisodium acid is the widely used salt of citric acid compared to other salts. The reason for the exothermic reaction is that the neutralization reaction is quite high.

One of the properties of citric acid that makes it important is that it gives many complexes to form polyvalent metal ions and chelates. Because of this important property, citrates or citric acids are used to control metal contamination. The metal ion, which is individually colored, is completely colorless or slightly colored when combined with citrate. While metal ions can remain stable by chelating with citric acid, organic molecules can be catalytically degraded in the presence of metal ions.

Usage areas

• Citric acid, which is widely used in industrial applications and different food fields, is mostly used in citrate carbonated and non-carbonated beverages.
• Citric acid is used alone or in combination with citrate salts and used as a flavoring in low-calorie drinks, fruit juice and thirst quenching drinks.
• Apart from that, in industrial production, Citric Acid is added to sugars to add sourness.
• Pectin gel is also used in candy varieties used in pastry shops and companies selling confectionery products to increase the maximum gel strength.
• It is used in food to increase the durability of the product. It controls the pH.
• It is used for flavoring in soft drinks.
• It is used to make confectionery and medicine. It prevents the crystallization of sugar in confectionery production.
• It is widely used in beverages, fermented food products, beer, wine, cheese, biscuits, Turkish delights, cakes, frozen fish, ice cream, jams, jelly, frozen potatoes, sherbets, instant soups, tomato paste and preserves.
• It is used as an additive in bathroom and kitchen cleaners.
• It is used in industry to remove rust from steel.