Product: Citric Acid Monohydrate (C₆H₈O₇·H₂O)

CAS No.: 5949-29-1
Hazard Class: Non-hazardous
UN No.: Non-regulated
Appearance: Colorless translucent crystals

Description: Citric acid monohydrate is produced through fungal fermentation (Aspergillus niger) of molasses or sucrose, serving as a natural organic acid with three carboxyl groups (pKa₁=3.1, pKa₂=4.8, pKa₃=6.4). As the most widely used food acidulant (E330), it provides tartness in beverages (0.5-1.5%), acts as antioxidant synergist in oils, and enables pH adjustment in pharmaceuticals (effervescent tablets). The monohydrate form loses crystalline water at 74°C, transitioning to anhydrous citric acid while maintaining identical functionality in chelating metal ions (Ca²⁺ binding capacity 250mg/g) and buffering systems (optimal pH 2.5-6.5).