Triethyl citrate is the triester of citric acid and ethyl alcohol.
Triethyl citrate is used as a flavoring agent in foods, as a high boiling solvent and plasticizer for vinyl resins and cellulose acetates, as a plasticizer in the pharmaceutical industry for coating. Triethyl citrate is used as a natural active ingredient and flavor component with excellent deodorizing and skin care properties in cosmetic and personal care products. Triethyl citrate is also used as a plasticizer and humectant for cigarette filters. Furthermore, triethyl citrate is used s a food additive for stabilizing foams, specifically as a whipping enhancer for organic egg whites during processing.