Citric Acid Anhydrous: Description, Properties, and Applications

What is Citric Acid Anhydrous?

Citric Acid Anhydrous stands out as a crystalline chemical material commonly found in solid, powder, flakes, pearls, and even liquid forms. You can trace its sharp, tangy presence from the world of food additives to cleaning agents. As a pure substance, it carries the molecular formula C₆H₈O₇, marking it as a tricarboxylic acid. The word “anhydrous” signals the complete absence of water molecules, so you are looking at a drier and more stable ingredient than its monohydrate counterpart. Visually, clear white crystals or a fine crystalline powder greet the eye, easy to mistake for sugar unless labels steer you right. Citric Acid Anhydrous often holds an HS Code of 29181400, classifying it mainly as a chemical raw material, valued for its stable shelf life and ease of use across industrial processes.

Physical and Chemical Properties

Pick up a handful and notice its solid, somewhat grainy texture when manufactured as a powder. Its crystalline structure results from removing all moisture, leading to impressive stability and lower caking risks in humid environments. The density of Citric Acid Anhydrous falls close to 1.665 g/cm³. The melting point hovers at roughly 153°C, making it a reliable candidate in settings needing precise temperature control. Solubility stays high, with around 148 grams dissolving in a single liter of water at room temperature, so solutions or liquid forms blend seamlessly. Its pH, naturally acidic, dips as low as 2 when dissolved, invigorating it for food, beverages, and cleaning. Because it doesn’t introduce unnecessary moisture, Citric Acid Anhydrous is often chosen over its monohydrate relative for processes where water content poses technical issues.

Structure and Specification

Citric Acid Anhydrous features three carboxylic acid groups attached to a central carbon backbone. That structure helps it act as a chelating agent, gripping metal ions and supporting stability in everything from pharmaceuticals to industrial cleaners. Produced mostly by fermenting plant-based raw materials such as corn or cassava, the end product passes through filtration, evaporation, crystallization, and drying. Quality standards put a premium on consistent granule size, low water content, and high purity, generally aiming above 99.5%. Every shipment details this through certificates of analysis, aligning with international benchmarks for purity, residue, and free acidity.

Materials and Forms

Several physical forms exist, depending on the intended use. In powder, it’s easy to handle for food processing or pharmaceutical compounding, metering precisely into mixtures where sourness or preservation counts. Flakes and pearls lend themselves to bulk handling, where metered addition outweighs ease of mixing. Pure crystals deliver a slower dissolving profile, useful in water softening applications or time-release cleaning agents. Liquid forms emerge from solutions of the solid acid in water, preferred for rapid blending, dosing, or continuous processes. Every material form keeps the same molecular formula—only density, granulation, and surface area shift.

Safe Use, Hazards, and Handling

Citric Acid Anhydrous doesn’t usually offer threats at low concentrations, making it a staple for kitchens and personal care. Overexposure—especially in dust form—can cause mild irritation to skin, eyes, or airways. Safety sheets list it as an irritant, not as a poison or corrosive. Eye protection and gloves help in bulk handling. Its powdered form, being lightweight, spreads easily, so workspaces often use dust control measures. As a food additive, it’s classified as generally safe, but large ingestions or contact can trigger stomach or skin upset. Store in moisture-tight, well-sealed containers to prevent clumping and preserve potency, and always label containers with chemical name, formula, and hazard details as per regulatory requirements.

Applications Across Industries

Citric Acid Anhydrous dominates ingredient lists for both sour flavoring and acidity regulation in foods and beverages. If you’ve sipped a tart soda or noticed the preservative bite in canned goods, you’ve tasted its effect. Its chelating power supports industrial water treatment by locking away calcium and magnesium ions that cause scaling. In detergent powders and cleaners, it supplies the acidity needed for limescale removal without harsh toxic byproducts. Pharmaceutical applications rely on it both as an excipient and for pH regulation in syrups and effervescent tablets. In cosmetic and personal care, it tweaks pH in bath bombs, shampoos, and lotions, keeping shelf lives predictable and formulas gentle. Commercial production turns to Citric Acid Anhydrous for stability—especially in dry goods, vitamin formulations, and raw material blends that can’t risk caking or moisture intrusion.

Solutions and Sustainable Supply

Raw material sourcing plays a big part in how Citric Acid Anhydrous impacts both user safety and the environment. Fermentation of plant-based feedstocks serves as the most common route today, using renewable resources like cassava, corn, or molasses. Companies focused on responsible chemistry ensure minimal byproduct waste and avoid genetically modified inputs when supplying sensitive markets. Safe handling aligns with these priorities—look for eco-friendly packaging, crystal clarity in labeling, and up-to-date safety data sent with each order. For end users, maintaining dry storage conditions, wearing basic PPE in bulk processing, and using proper dosing tools help keep workplace exposure low and product quality high. Collaborations between raw material suppliers, manufacturers, and end users often drive improvements in efficiency, product safety, and environmental outcomes, underlining the central role Citric Acid Anhydrous plays in the modern supply chain.