Industrial grade citric acid, is it safe? What is the purpose or function of industrial citric acid? What are the matters needing attention?
Citric acid (CA), also known as citric acid, with the molecular formula C₆H₈O₇, is an important organic acid. It is colorless crystals, odorless, has a strong acid taste, is easily soluble in water, and is a natural preservative and food additive.Industrial grade citric acid is it safe?
Precautions
Citric acid is an edible acid that can enhance normal metabolism in the body, and an appropriate dosage is harmless to the human body. Adding citric acid to some foods has a good taste and can promote appetite. In China, citric acid is allowed to be used in jams, beverages, cans and candies. Although citric acid is not directly harmful to the human body, it can promote the excretion and deposition of calcium in the body. For example, long-term consumption of citric acid-containing foods may lead to hypocalcemia and increase the risk of duodenal cancer.
Based on the influence of citric acid on calcium metabolism, people who often eat canned food, beverages, jams, and sour sweets, especially children, should pay attention to calcium supplements, drink more milk, fish heads, fish bone soup, and eat small shrimp skins, etc. So as not to cause insufficient blood calcium and affect health, patients with gastric ulcer, hyperacidity, dental caries and diabetes should not consume citric acid frequently. Pure milk with citric acid will cause pure milk to coagulate. The dairy industry often mixes citric acid into a 10% solution and adds it to a low-concentration milk solution. Stir quickly when adding it.
Application field
1. Used in chemical, textile and other industries
Citric acid can be used as chemical analysis reagent, experimental reagent, chromatographic reagent and biochemical reagent; used as complexing agent and masking agent; preparing buffer. It can improve the performance of washing products, quickly precipitate metal ions, prevent contaminants from re-adhering to the fabric, and maintain the alkalinity required for washing.
2. Used in the food industry
Because citric acid has a mild and refreshing sour taste, it is widely used in the manufacture of various beverages, sodas, wine, candies, snacks, biscuits, canned juices, dairy products and other foods. In all organic acid markets, citric acid has a market share of more than 70%. Condiments can also be used as antioxidants for edible oils.
3. Environmental protection industry
Sodium citrate buffer is used for flue gas desulfurization. my country is rich in coal resources and is a major component of energy. However, there has been a lack of effective flue gas desulfurization processes, which has caused serious atmospheric SO2 pollution. Sodium citrate buffer has the advantages of low vapor pressure, non-toxicity, stable chemical properties, and high SO2 absorption rate. It is a valuable desulfurizer.
4. Used in the feed industry
Adding citric acid to the piglet feed can make the piglets weaned early and increase the feed utilization rate by 5%-10%. Adding 1%-2% citric acid to the diet of growing and finishing pigs can increase daily gain, reduce feed-to-meat ratio, increase protein digestibility, reduce backfat thickness, and improve meat quality and carcass characteristics.
5. Used in the cosmetics industry
Citric acid is a kind of fruit acid whose main function is to accelerate the regeneration of keratin. It is often used in lotions, creams, shampoos, whitening products, anti-aging products, acne products, etc. The regeneration of keratin helps the peeling of melanin in the skin, the refinement of pores and the dissolution of blackheads.
6.Used in pharmaceutical industry
Citric acid must contain calcium ions during the formation of prothrombin activator and the subsequent clotting process. Citrate ions and calcium ions can form soluble complexes that are difficult to dissociate, thereby reducing the concentration of calcium ions in the blood and blocking blood coagulation. This product can be used for in vitro anticoagulation during blood transfusion or laboratory blood sample anticoagulation.