Chemical Properties
Transparent prismatic crystals or a white, granular powder.
Potassium citrate is hygroscopic and odorless, and has a cooling,
saline taste.
Chemical Properties
White/clear crystalline powder
Definition
ChEBI: A hydrate that is the monohydrate form of potassium citrate.
Production Methods
Potassium citrate is prepared by adding either potassium bicarbonate or potassium carbonate to a solution of citric acid until effervescence ceases. The resulting solution is then filtered and evaporated to dryness to obtain potassium citrate.
General Description
Potassium citrate tribasic monohydrate (KCTM) is a potassium salt that has been reported to be efficient in forming aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) with UCON 50-HB-5100, a random copolymer. This product is a high quality pharmacopoeia product that meets the testing specifications of USP (United States Pharmacopoeia). It can be employed in research and pilot studies.
Pharmaceutical Applications
Potassium citrate is used in beverages, foods, and oral pharmaceutical
formulations as a buffering and alkalizing agent. It is also used
as a sequestering agent and as a therapeutic agent to alkalinize the
urine and to relieve the painful irritation caused by cystitis.
Biochem/physiol Actions
Potassium citrate can be used to prepare citrate water that supports the survival of streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic mice. It might reduce the successive stone formation in calcium nephrolithiasis. Potassium citrate serves as an activator for producing activated carbons.
Side effects
The most common side effects of potassium citrate are gastrointestinal. Potassium citrate can be irritating to the stomach. Potassium citrate may cause an upset stomach, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea or loose stools.
Safety
Potassium citrate is used in oral pharmaceutical formulations and is
generally regarded as a nontoxic and nonirritant material by this
route of administration.
Most potassium citrate safety data relate to its use as a
therapeutic agent, for which up to 10 g may be administered daily,
in divided doses, as a treatment for cystitis. Although there are
adverse effects associated with excessive ingestion of potassium
salts, the quantities of potassium citrate used as a pharmaceutical
excipient are insignificant in comparison to those used therapeutically.
(IV, dog): 0.17 g/kg
storage
Potassium citrate is a stable, though hygroscopic material, and
should be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. It is
deliquescent in moist air.
Purification Methods
It solubility in H2O is 154% and it loses H2O at 180o. [Beilstein 3 III 1091.]
Incompatibilities
Aqueous potassium citrate solutions are slightly alkaline and will
react with acidic substances. Potassium citrate may also precipitate
alkaloidal salts from their aqueous or alcoholic solutions. Calcium
and strontium salts will cause precipitation of the corresponding
citrates. Potassium citrate is incompatible with strong oxidizing
agents.
Regulatory Status
GRAS listed. Accepted as a food additive in Europe. Included in the
FDA Inactive Ingredients Database (oral solutions and suspensions;
topical emulsions and aerosol foams). Included in nonparenteral
medicines (cutaneous foams and emulsions; oral liquids, granules,
mixtures and soluble tablets; topical liquids, emulsions and
mousses) licensed in the UK. Included in the Canadian List of
Acceptable Non-medicinal Ingredients.
