Citric acid monohydrate: a versatile organic compound

Introduction

In the vast field of chemistry, there is an organic compound called citric acid monohydrate, with its unique properties and wide applications, has attracted wide attention in the scientific community. It is not only the right hand of the food and beverage industry, but also plays an indispensable role in the chemical, cosmetics and washing industries. This article will lead readers to explore the mysterious world of citric acid monohydrate and uncover the scientific veil behind it.¹

Basic attributes

Citric acid monohydrate, chemical formula C₆H₁₀O₈, also known as citric acid monohydrate, is a colorless crystal or white crystalline powder. This compound has good water solubility and can dissolve 1630 grams per liter of water (at 20℃). It exists widely in nature, especially in citrus fruits, and is the main component of citric acid taste.²

Production process

Citric acid monohydrate is mainly produced by biological fermentation. First, corn starch or glucose is used as raw material to convert starch into glucose through the action of amylase. Then, the saccharification solution was inoculated with Aspergillus acidophilus for fermentation to produce citric acid; Finally, after a series of extraction, crystallization, drying and other processes, the product is obtained. The entire production process strictly follows quality standards to ensure product safety and stability.³

Food industry applications

Citric acid monohydrate is widely used in food industry. First of all, as a sour and seasoning agent, it can improve the taste and flavor of food, make food more delicious and delicious. For example, adding citric acid to fruit juices, beverages, candy and other foods can increase their sour and sweet taste and improve consumer acceptance. Secondly, citric acid also has the effect of preservation. It can inhibit the growth and reproduction of microorganisms, extend the shelf life of food, and maintain the freshness and nutritional value of food. In addition, it can also promote the absorption of certain nutrients, such as calcium, iron and other minerals, and improve the nutritional value of food.⁴

 Application of chemical industry

In the chemical industry, citric acid monohydrate also plays an important role. First of all, it acts as an antioxidant to prevent oxidative deterioration of the material during storage and use, keeping its performance stable. For example, it can be added to plastic, rubber and other products to extend their service life. Secondly, it can also be used as a plasticizer to improve the flexibility and processability of the material. In addition, the addition of detergent can enhance its decontamination ability and improve the washing effect.⁵

Application of cosmetics industry

Citric acid monohydrate is also widely used in the cosmetics industry. As an antioxidant, it can prevent the oxidation and deterioration of ingredients such as oils and spices in cosmetics, and maintain the quality and stability of cosmetics. At the same time, it also has a certain moisturizing effect, which can increase the moisture content of the skin and make the skin more smooth and delicate. In addition, citric acid is also added to some cosmetics as a whitening agent, which can inhibit the formation of melanin and reduce color spots and dullness.

Safety and use precautions

Citric acid monohydrate is a safe food additive and chemical raw material. Under normal use, it will not cause harm to the human body. However, excessive intake can be a burden on the liver and kidneys and adversely affect their metabolic function. Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to control intake when using to avoid excessive intake. At the same time, in the purchase of products need to pay attention to the source of the product and quality assurance to choose products produced by regular manufacturers to ensure their safety and stability.

Market prospects

With the continuous improvement of people's requirements for food safety and quality and the rapid development of cosmetics, detergents and other industries, the market demand for citric acid monohydrate is also increasing. The future application field will be more extensive and its market prospect will be broader. At the same time, with the continuous progress of science and technology, the production process will continue to optimize the cost will continue to reduce the product quality will be further improved, which will help promote the healthy development of the citric acid monohydrate market.

Conclusion

Citric acid monohydrate as a multifunctional organic compound has been widely used in food, chemical, cosmetics and other industries. Its unique properties and excellent performance make it an indispensable raw material in these industries. Through in-depth understanding of its basic properties, production process and application fields, we can better understand this compound and give full play to its role in various fields. It is believed that monohydrate citric acid will show a broader market prospect and more important application value in the future development.

References

[1].Berglund K A , Larson M A .Modeling of growth rate dispersion of citric acid monohydrate in continuous crystallizers[J]. Aiche Journal, 1984, 30(2):280-287.

[2].Bravi M , Mazzarotta B .Primary nucleation of citric acid monohydrate: Influence of selected impurities[J].Chemical Engineering Journal, 1998, 70(3):197-202.

[3].Laguerie C , Aubry M , Couderc J P .Some physicochemical data on monohydrate citric acid solutions in water: solubility, density, viscosity, diffusivity, pH of standard solution, and refractive index[J].Journal of Chemical & Engineering Data, 1976, 21(1):85-87.

[4].Guang-Cheng W , Cheng-Bao Y , Guan-Fei L .A Simple Analysis of Crystallization Process and Equipment Selection of Citric Acid Monohydrate[J].Construction & Design for Project, 2008.

[5].Shafie M H , Yusof R , Gan C Y .Synthesis of citric acid monohydrate-choline chloride based deep eutectic solvents (DES) and characterization of their physicochemical properties[J].Journal of Molecular Liquids, 2019, 288:111081.

You may like