Trisodium Citrate Anhydrous - China

Brief Overview

Trisodium citrate anhydrous  is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula Na₃C₆H₅O₇. It is commonly referred to as sodium citrate. It has a saline taste and a mildly tart flavor, which is known as “sour salt.” It is the natural tribasic salt of citric acid, and its IUPAC name is trisodium;2-hydroxypropane-1,2,3-tricarboxylate. The anhydrous form of trisodium citrate occurs as white, granular crystals or as a white, crystalline powder. It is completely soluble in water and practically insoluble in ethanol (96 %). It is a non-toxic, neutral salt with low reactivity. It is chemically stable if stored at ambient temperatures. Trisodium citrate anhydrous is fully biodegradable and can be disposed of with regular waste or sewage.

Manufacturing Process

Trisodium citrate anhydrous is produced through the dehydration of trisodium citrate dihydrate. The dehydration process removes water molecules without affecting the original crystal matrix. This leads to the formation of crystals with a porous matrix, allowing it to act as the carrier of organic/inorganic substances for applications such as perfumes.

Food Industry

The primary use of trisodium citrate anhydrous is a food additive for imparting flavor and acting as a preservative. Its most popular use as a flavoring agent is in club sodas, ready-to-drink beverages, and drink mixes. It is also used as a buffer to regulate acidity and resist changes in pH in food products such as gelatin desserts, milk, etc.

Medical Industry

Trisodium citrate anhydrous is used as an anticoagulant in blood transfusions, blood collection tubes, and the preservation of blood in blood banks. It is also used as an osmotic laxative and an antacid. Other uses include relieving discomfort in urinary tract infections and reducing acidosis in distal renal tubular acidosis.

Other Applications

Trisodium citrate anhydrous is used in boiler descaling for effectively removing the carbonate scale from boilers without removing them from an operation and cleaning automobile radiators.