Prepared at the 53rd JECFA (1999) and published in FNP 52 Add 7 (1999), superseding specifications prepared at the 51st JECFA (1998), published in FNP 52 Add 6 (1998). Group ADI "Not limited" for citric acid and its calcium, potassium, sodium and ammonium salts established at the 17th JECFA in 1973. | ||
SYNONYMS |
INS No. 330 | |
DEFINITION |
Citric acid may be produced by recovery from sources such as lemon or pineapple juice or fermentation of carbohydrate solutions or other suitable media using Candida spp. or non-toxicogenic strains of Aspergillus niger | |
Chemical names |
2-hydroxy-1,2,3-propanetricarboxylic acid | |
C.A.S. number |
77-92-9 (anhydrous) | |
Chemical formula |
C6 H8 O7 (anhydrous) | |
Structural formula |
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Anhydrous |
Monohydrate | |
Formula weight |
192.13 (anhydrous) | |
Assay |
Not less than 99.5% and not more than 100.5% on the anhydrous basis | |
DESCRIPTION |
White or colourless, odourless, crystalline solid; the monohydrate form effloresces in dry air | |
FUNCTIONAL USES |
Acidulant; sequestrant; synergist for antioxidants; flavouring agent (see "Flavouring agents" monograph) | |
CHARACTERISTICS |
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IDENTIFICATION |
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Solubility (FNP 5) |
Very soluble in water; freely soluble in ethanol; slightly soluble in ether | |
Test for citrate (FNP 5) |
Passes test | |
PURITY |
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Water (FNP 5) |
Anhydrous: Not more than 0.5% (Karl Fischer Method) | |
Sulfated ash (FNP 5) |
Not more than 0.05% | |
Oxalate (FNP 5) |
Not more than 100 mg/kg | |
Sulfates (FNP 5) |
Not more than 150 mg/kg | |
Readily carbonizable substances |
Heat 1.0 g of sample with 10 ml of 98% sulfuric acid in a water bath at 90�1� for 60 min. No colour darker than Matching Fluid K (25�) (FNP 5) should be produced (not more than 0.5 absorbance units at 470 nm in a 10 mm cell). | |
Lead (FNP 5) |
Not more than 0.5 mg/kg | |
METHOD OF ASSAY |
Weigh, to the nearest mg, 2.5 g of the sample and place in a tared flask. Dissolve in 40 ml of water and titrate with 1 N sodium hydroxide, using phenolphthalein TS as the indicator. Each ml of 1 N sodium hydroxide is equivalent to 64.04 mg of C6H8O7. |