CITRIC ACID E330

Citric Acid E330 is a naturally occurring hydroxytricarboxylic acid used as an acidity regulator, flavoring agent, sequestrant, and antioxidant synergist.

Citric Acid E330 provides a clean acidic taste, reliable pH adjustment, strong water compatibility, and useful metal-ion-binding performance.

Citric Acid E330 is available in anhydrous and monohydrate forms for food, beverage, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, cleaning, laboratory, and industrial applications.

CAS Number: 77-92-9

EC Number: 201-069-1

Molecular Formula: C₆H₈O₇

Molecular Weight: 192.12 g/mol

SYNONYMS

Citric Acid E330, Citric Acid, E330, E 330, E-330, INS 330, INS No. 330, Food Additive 330, Acidity Regulator E330, Citric Acid Anhydrous, Anhydrous Citric Acid, Citric Acid Monohydrate, Hydrated Citric Acid, Citric Acid Hydrate, 2-Hydroxypropane-1,2,3-Tricarboxylic Acid, 2-Hydroxy-1,2,3-Propanetricarboxylic Acid, 2-Hydroxy-1,2,3-Propanetricarboxylic Acid Anhydrous, 2-Hydroxy-1,2,3-Propanetricarboxylic Acid Monohydrate, 3-Carboxy-3-Hydroxypentane-1,5-Dioic Acid, 2-Hydroxypropanetricarboxylic Acid, β-Hydroxytricarballylic Acid, Beta-Hydroxytricarballylic Acid, Hydroxytricarballylic Acid, Propane-1,2,3-Tricarboxylic Acid, 2-Hydroxy-, Citricum Acidum, Acidum Citricum, Acide Citrique, Citronsäure, Ácido Cítrico, Acido Citrico, Sitrik Asit, Lemon Acid, Sour Salt, Citric Acid Acidity Regulator, Citric Acid Acidulant, Citric Acid Flavoring Agent, Citric Acid Sequestrant, Citric Acid Chelating Agent, Citric Acid Antioxidant Synergist, Citric Acid Buffering Agent, Citric Acid pH Regulator, Citric Acid Preservative Auxiliary, Citric Acid Descaling Agent, Citric Acid Cleaning Agent, Citric Acid Metal Chelator, Food-Grade Citric Acid, Pharmaceutical-Grade Citric Acid, Cosmetic-Grade Citric Acid, Technical-Grade Citric Acid, Laboratory-Grade Citric Acid, Analytical-Grade Citric Acid, Citric Acid Reference Standard, Fermentation-Derived Citric Acid, CAS 77-92-9, CAS 5949-29-1, EC 201-069-1, EINECS 201-069-1, PubChem CID 311, CHEBI 30769, CHEBI:30769, DTXSID3020332, FEMA 2306, C₆H₈O₇, C6H8O7

APPLICATIONS

Citric Acid E330 serves as an acidity regulator in carbonated soft drinks requiring a bright, refreshing, and consistent acidic profile.
Citric Acid E330 enables beverage formulators to adjust finished-product pH while balancing sweetness, aroma, carbonation, and flavor intensity.

Citric Acid E330 supports still beverages, flavored waters, sports drinks, and powdered drink mixes requiring rapid and reproducible acidification.
Citric Acid E330 dissolves readily in water and allows acidity to be distributed uniformly throughout properly mixed beverage formulations.

Citric Acid E330 contributes to fruit juices, fruit nectars, juice concentrates, and fruit-based beverages requiring flavor adjustment and pH control.
Citric Acid E330 complements naturally occurring fruit acids and helps manufacturers maintain a consistent taste across raw-material variations.

Citric Acid E330 functions in confectionery products such as hard candies, gummies, jellies, chewing gum, and powdered sweets.
Citric Acid E330 provides sourness and flavor contrast while supporting the intended pH of sugar, gelatin, starch, and pectin systems.

Citric Acid E330 supports jams, marmalades, fruit spreads, and jellies that require controlled acidity for flavor and gel development.
Citric Acid E330 helps pectin-containing formulations reach conditions that support the desired texture, spreadability, and storage stability.

Citric Acid E330 serves as an acidifying ingredient in canned and bottled fruits and vegetables where Citric Acid E330 use is legally permitted.
Citric Acid E330 helps control processing pH and can limit undesirable color or flavor changes associated with certain metal ions.

Citric Acid E330 contributes to dairy desserts, cultured products, flavored milk preparations, and dairy-alternative formulations.
Citric Acid E330 allows acidity to be adjusted carefully while formulation trials prevent uncontrolled protein precipitation or texture loss.

Citric Acid E330 supports processed cheese, cheese sauces, and dairy-based spreads containing compatible citrate and emulsifying systems.
Citric Acid E330 can influence mineral balance and pH while other ingredients control protein hydration, melting, and emulsion stability.

Citric Acid E330 functions in processed meat, poultry, and seafood formulations where acidification or metal-ion control is authorized.
Citric Acid E330 helps maintain flavor consistency and can support oxidative stability when Citric Acid E330 is combined with suitable antioxidants and processing controls.

Citric Acid E330 contributes to bakery fillings, icings, fruit preparations, cake mixes, and chemically leavened products.
Citric Acid E330 provides controlled acidity and can participate in reactions with bicarbonate ingredients in properly balanced leavening systems.

Citric Acid E330 serves as an antioxidant synergist in food formulations containing oxidation-sensitive oils, flavors, colors, or vitamins.
Citric Acid E330 binds trace pro-oxidant metal ions and can improve the effectiveness of compatible primary antioxidants.

Citric Acid E330 supports dry seasoning blends, soup powders, sauce mixes, and instant food preparations.
Citric Acid E330 supplies acidity in a dry, accurately dosed form that becomes active after dissolution or hydration.

Citric Acid E330 functions in effervescent pharmaceutical tablets and granules containing bicarbonate or carbonate ingredients.
Citric Acid E330 reacts with alkaline carbonate components after contact with water and produces carbon dioxide for rapid dispersion.

Citric Acid E330 contributes to pharmaceutical syrups, oral solutions, suspensions, and reconstitutable powders as a pH-adjusting and flavor-modifying excipient.
Citric Acid E330 helps mask unpleasant tastes while supporting the chemical and microbiological stability objectives of the validated formulation.

Citric Acid E330 serves as a pH regulator in cosmetic creams, lotions, serums, cleansers, and emulsions.
Citric Acid E330 allows cosmetic formulators to adjust finished-product acidity to a range suitable for ingredient stability and skin compatibility.

Citric Acid E330 supports alpha-hydroxy-acid skin care formulations designed for controlled surface exfoliation.
Citric Acid E330 requires concentration and pH control because free-acid availability determines exfoliating strength and irritation potential.

Citric Acid E330 contributes to shampoos, conditioners, hair masks, and hair-coloring systems requiring acidification or mineral-ion control.
Citric Acid E330 can improve formulation clarity and help reduce interference from calcium, magnesium, and iron ions.

Citric Acid E330 functions as a builder, chelating auxiliary, and pH-adjusting ingredient in household detergent formulations.
Citric Acid E330 supports cleaning performance by binding hardness ions that can reduce surfactant efficiency or leave mineral residues.

Citric Acid E330 serves as a descaling ingredient in cleaners developed for kettles, coffee machines, shower surfaces, taps, and compatible appliances.
Citric Acid E330 dissolves many carbonate-based mineral deposits without introducing the strong odor associated with some mineral acids.

Citric Acid E330 supports automatic dishwashing detergents, rinse aids, and manual dish-cleaning formulations.
Citric Acid E330 helps control water hardness, reduce mineral spotting, and adjust formulation pH when Citric Acid E330 remains compatible with the complete detergent system.

Citric Acid E330 contributes to water-treatment and process-water formulations requiring pH adjustment or temporary metal-ion sequestration.
Citric Acid E330 can form soluble citrate complexes with calcium, magnesium, iron, and other metal ions under suitable conditions.

Citric Acid E330 functions in metal-cleaning and surface-preparation solutions used to remove oxide, scale, and inorganic residues from compatible metals.
Citric Acid E330 offers controlled acidity and chelation while material-specific testing prevents corrosion, etching, or surface discoloration.

Citric Acid E330 supports passivation and cleaning procedures for stainless-steel equipment and components.
Citric Acid E330 helps remove accessible free iron and surface contamination when concentration, temperature, contact time, and rinsing are properly controlled.

Citric Acid E330 contributes to electroplating, electroless plating, and metal-finishing baths as a complexing or buffering ingredient.
Citric Acid E330 helps regulate metal-ion availability while the complete bath chemistry determines deposition rate, coating quality, and stability.

Citric Acid E330 serves as a pH-adjusting and metal-sequestering auxiliary in textile dyeing, printing, washing, and finishing processes.
Citric Acid E330 helps control process-water hardness and supports consistent interaction among dyes, fibers, surfactants, and textile auxiliaries.

Citric Acid E330 functions as an analytical reagent, buffer component, chelating agent, and standard substance in laboratory procedures.
Citric Acid E330 supports titration, sample preparation, citrate-buffer formation, metal-complexation studies, and biochemical research.

DESCRIPTION

Citric Acid E330 is a weak organic acid containing three carboxylic acid groups and one hydroxyl group.
Citric Acid E330 is systematically identified as 2-hydroxypropane-1,2,3-tricarboxylic acid.

Citric Acid E330 has the molecular formula C₆H₈O₇ and a molecular weight of approximately 192.12 g/mol in the anhydrous form.
Citric Acid E330 is identified by CAS Number 77-92-9 and EC Number 201-069-1.

Citric Acid E330 monohydrate contains one molecule of crystallization water for each molecule of Citric Acid E330.
Citric Acid E330 monohydrate has the formula C₆H₈O₇·H₂O, CAS Number 5949-29-1, and a molecular weight of approximately 210.14 g/mol.

Citric Acid E330 occurs naturally as a metabolic intermediate in plants, animals, and microorganisms.
Citric Acid E330 is also present naturally in citrus fruits and many other fruits, vegetables, and biological materials.

Citric Acid E330 is manufactured commercially primarily through controlled microbial fermentation of carbohydrate-containing raw materials.
Citric Acid E330 fermentation liquor is purified through separation, precipitation or extraction, decolorization, concentration, crystallization, and drying.

Citric Acid E330 commonly appears as a white or colorless, odorless, crystalline solid.
Citric Acid E330 may be supplied as fine powder, granular crystals, coarse crystals, compacted material, or aqueous solution.

Citric Acid E330 is very soluble in water and freely soluble in ethanol under food-additive identification specifications.
Citric Acid E330 is only slightly soluble in ether and remains essentially incompatible with most nonpolar oils.

Citric Acid E330 produces three successive acid dissociation stages because Citric Acid E330 contains three carboxylic acid groups.
Citric Acid E330 buffering and neutralization behavior depends on pH, concentration, temperature, and the counterions present.

Citric Acid E330 forms citrate salts after partial or complete neutralization with sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, ammonium, or other suitable bases.
Citric Acid E330 can therefore be combined with citrate salts to prepare buffering systems with adjustable acidity.

Citric Acid E330 binds numerous metal ions through carboxylate and hydroxyl-containing coordination sites.
Citric Acid E330 chelation can improve formulation stability by reducing the catalytic activity or precipitation behavior of certain metals.

Citric Acid E330 provides sour taste directly through hydrogen-ion release in aqueous formulations.
Citric Acid E330 perceived sourness depends on concentration, pH, buffer capacity, temperature, sweetness, and accompanying flavors.

Citric Acid E330 can support microbial control indirectly by lowering formulation pH.
Citric Acid E330 does not replace a validated preservative system when microorganisms can survive under the finished-product conditions.

Citric Acid E330 decomposes during sufficiently intense heating rather than producing a stable atmospheric-pressure boiling point.
Citric Acid E330 thermal decomposition can produce irritating fumes and degradation compounds that require effective ventilation.

Citric Acid E330 anhydrous and monohydrate grades behave differently during storage and processing because of their water content and crystal structure.
Citric Acid E330 monohydrate can lose crystallization water in dry air, while Citric Acid E330 anhydrous can absorb moisture under humid conditions.

Citric Acid E330 solutions can corrode or etch selected metals when concentration, temperature, and contact time are excessive.
Citric Acid E330 processing equipment should be selected from materials demonstrated to resist the intended acidic conditions.

Citric Acid E330 is generally biodegradable and participates in natural biochemical pathways.
Citric Acid E330 concentrated releases can nevertheless alter environmental pH and should not be discharged without appropriate control.

Citric Acid E330 food quality is commonly evaluated through identity, assay, water content, sulfated ash, lead, oxalate, and readily carbonizable substance testing.
Citric Acid E330 acceptance limits depend on the applicable food-additive, pharmacopoeial, cosmetic, analytical, or technical specification.

Citric Acid E330 food-additive specifications require an assay of 99.5–100.5% calculated on an anhydrous basis.
Citric Acid E330 specifications distinguish anhydrous material containing no more than 0.5% water from monohydrate containing approximately 7.5–8.8% water.

Citric Acid E330 remains stable under normal dry storage conditions in tightly closed packaging.
Citric Acid E330 should be protected from moisture, contamination, strong bases, oxidizing substances, and excessive heat.

Citric Acid E330 dust can irritate the eyes and respiratory tract during industrial handling.
Citric Acid E330 dust generation should be minimized through enclosed transfer, local exhaust ventilation, and careful powder handling.

Citric Acid E330 is classified in the European Union as causing serious eye irritation and potentially causing respiratory irritation.
Citric Acid E330 finished-formulation hazards can differ substantially from the classification of concentrated Citric Acid E330 powder.

Citric Acid E330 is assigned food additive number E330 in the European Union and INS Number 330 in the Codex system.
Citric Acid E330 permitted food categories and use levels must be verified under the regulations of the destination market.

Citric Acid E330 has a JECFA group acceptable daily intake described as not limited together with specified citrate salts.
Citric Acid E330 should still be used according to good manufacturing practice and only at the level required for the intended technical effect.

Citric Acid E330 is recognized in United States food regulation for use without limitations other than current good manufacturing practice.
Citric Acid E330 food use must meet applicable identity, purity, labeling, manufacturing, and intended-use requirements.

Citric Acid E330 grades intended for food, medicine, cosmetics, laboratory work, or industrial cleaning are not automatically interchangeable.
Citric Acid E330 grade selection should be based on purity, particle size, moisture, microbiological quality, documentation, and regulatory suitability.

Citric Acid E330 provides a versatile combination of acidity, buffering, chelation, flavor modification, and water solubility.
Citric Acid E330 performance must be validated within the complete formulation because other ingredients can alter pH, complexation, solubility, and sensory behavior.

PROPERTIES

Chemical Name: Citric Acid E330

Preferred Chemical Name: Citric Acid

IUPAC Name: 2-Hydroxypropane-1,2,3-Tricarboxylic Acid

Alternative Chemical Name: 2-Hydroxy-1,2,3-Propanetricarboxylic Acid

Food Additive Number: E330

Codex INS Number: 330

Chemical Class: Hydroxytricarboxylic Acid

Substance Type: Organic Acid

CAS Number, Anhydrous: 77-92-9

CAS Number, Monohydrate: 5949-29-1

EC Number: 201-069-1

PubChem CID: 311

ChEBI ID: CHEBI:30769

FEMA Number: 2306

Molecular Formula, Anhydrous: C₆H₈O₇

Molecular Formula, Monohydrate: C₆H₈O₇·H₂O

Structural Formula: HOOCCH₂C(OH)(COOH)CH₂COOH

Molecular Weight, Anhydrous: 192.12 g/mol

Molecular Weight, Monohydrate: 210.14 g/mol

Exact Mass, Anhydrous: Approximately 192.0270 Da

InChIKey: KRKNYBCHXYNGOX-UHFFFAOYSA-N

SMILES: C(C(=O)O)C(CC(=O)O)(C(=O)O)O

Carboxylic Acid Groups: Three

Hydroxyl Groups: One

Acid Functionality: Triprotic Acid

First pKa: Approximately 3.1

Second pKa: Approximately 4.8

Third pKa: Approximately 6.4

Physical State: Solid

Appearance: White or Colorless Crystalline Powder or Granules

Odor: Odorless

Taste: Strongly Acidic and Sour

Anhydrous Melting Behavior: Approximately 153°C with Decomposition

Boiling Behavior: Decomposes before Conventional Boiling

Density, Anhydrous: Approximately 1.66 g/cm³

Water Solubility: Very Soluble

Ethanol Solubility: Freely Soluble

Ether Solubility: Slightly Soluble

Oil Solubility: Practically Insoluble in Most Nonpolar Oils

Ionic Character: Nonionic in the Undissociated Form and Anionic after Deprotonation

Volatility: Negligible under Normal Conditions

Hygroscopicity: Moisture Sensitive, Depending on Physical Form and Humidity

Primary Food Functions: Acidity Regulator, Flavoring Agent, Sequestrant, and Antioxidant Synergist

Primary Pharmaceutical Functions: Acidulant, Buffer Component, Chelating Agent, and Effervescent Excipient

Primary Cosmetic Functions: pH Adjuster, Buffering Ingredient, Chelating Agent, and Alpha-Hydroxy Acid

Primary Cleaning Functions: Descaling Agent, Builder, Hardness-Ion Binder, and Acidic Cleaning Ingredient

Primary Industrial Functions: Complexing Agent, Metal-Cleaning Acid, Process pH Regulator, and Buffer Component

Chelating Ability: Effective for Many Calcium, Magnesium, Iron, and Transition-Metal Ions

Buffering Range: Dependent on Citric Acid E330 and Citrate Ratio

Assay, Food Grade: 99.5–100.5% on the Anhydrous Basis

Water, Anhydrous Food Grade: Maximum 0.5%

Water, Monohydrate Food Grade: 7.5–8.8%

Sulfated Ash, Food Grade: Maximum 0.05%

Lead, JECFA Food Grade: Maximum 0.5 mg/kg

Oxalate Test: Must Pass the Applicable Food-Additive Test

Readily Carbonizable Substances: Must Pass the Applicable Food-Additive Test

JECFA Acceptable Daily Intake: Group ADI Not Limited with Specified Citrate Salts

United States Food Status: Use Permitted under Current Good Manufacturing Practice

European Union Food Status: E330 in Authorized Food Categories

Biodegradability: Readily Metabolized or Biodegraded under Appropriate Conditions

Common Hazard Classification: Causes Serious Eye Irritation and May Cause Respiratory Irritation

Dust Hazard: Airborne Dust Can Irritate the Eyes, Nose, Throat, and Respiratory Tract

Combustibility: Combustible under Severe Fire Conditions

Thermal Decomposition Products: Carbon Oxides and Irritating Organic Fumes

Chemical Stability: Stable under Recommended Storage Conditions

Incompatible Materials: Strong Bases, Strong Oxidizing Agents, and Reactive Metals under Unsuitable Conditions

Storage Conditions: Cool, Dry, Tightly Closed, and Protected from Moisture and Contamination

Shelf Life: Grade, Packaging, and Storage Condition Dependent

FIRST AID

Inhalation: Move the person exposed to Citric Acid E330 dust into fresh air and keep the person comfortable.
Obtain medical attention if Citric Acid E330 exposure causes persistent coughing, throat irritation, wheezing, or breathing difficulty.

Skin Contact: Remove clothing contaminated with Citric Acid E330 and wash the affected skin thoroughly with soap and water.
Obtain medical advice if Citric Acid E330 causes persistent redness, dryness, pain, or irritation.

Eye Contact: Immediately rinse eyes exposed to Citric Acid E330 with clean running water for at least 15 minutes while holding the eyelids open.
Remove contact lenses when easy to do, continue rinsing, and obtain prompt medical attention because Citric Acid E330 can cause serious eye irritation.

Ingestion: Rinse the mouth thoroughly after accidental ingestion of concentrated or non-food-grade Citric Acid E330.
Obtain medical advice after substantial Citric Acid E330 ingestion or whenever abdominal pain, vomiting, irritation, or other symptoms develop.

Note to Physicians: Treat Citric Acid E330 exposure symptomatically and provide supportive care.
Assess Citric Acid E330 exposure according to concentration, physical form, quantity, exposure route, and the presence of accompanying ingredients.

HANDLING AND STORAGE

Handling: Handle Citric Acid E330 according to good industrial hygiene and the quality requirements of the intended application.
Avoid generating Citric Acid E330 dust and prevent Citric Acid E330 contact with the eyes, skin, clothing, and incompatible materials.

Ventilation: Provide effective general ventilation and local exhaust wherever Citric Acid E330 is transferred, sieved, milled, blended, or charged.
Use suitable respiratory protection when engineering controls cannot adequately control airborne Citric Acid E330 dust.

Storage: Store Citric Acid E330 in tightly closed and moisture-resistant containers within a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area.
Protect Citric Acid E330 from humidity, excessive heat, direct contamination, strong bases, oxidizing agents, and incompatible metals.

Spill and Leak Procedures: Avoid raising Citric Acid E330 dust and collect spilled Citric Acid E330 with a suitable low-dust mechanical method.
Prevent concentrated Citric Acid E330 from entering drains without control and transfer contaminated Citric Acid E330 into labeled recovery or disposal containers.

Handling Precautions: Wear suitable protective gloves, protective clothing, and tightly fitting safety goggles while handling bulk Citric Acid E330.
Keep emergency eyewash facilities accessible and consult the current grade-specific Safety Data Sheet before commercial Citric Acid E330 processing.