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Calcium Citrate Anhydrous: Products, Properties, and Chemical Profile

What is Calcium Citrate Anhydrous?

Calcium Citrate Anhydrous comes from the reaction of citric acid with calcium salts, leaving behind a fine, white powder that serves as a rich, bioavailable source of calcium. You find it in many food supplements and pharmaceuticals, often in powder, flake, or granular form. Its odorless, tasteless profile makes it easy to incorporate without altering the product experience. The purity stands out, as this chemical holds little moisture – “anhydrous” means dry, which impacts shelf life and stability.

Molecular Structure and Formula

Looking closer, the molecular formula for Calcium Citrate Anhydrous is Ca3(C6H5O7)2. It features a stable structure, three calcium ions bound to two citrate anions, giving the compound a balanced chemical presence. A molecular weight of about 498.43 g/mol signals its density and bulk. This arrangement contributes to its performance as a source of calcium in dietary products as well as a firming agent in food and beverage applications.

Physical Properties and Forms

The substance typically appears as a white crystalline powder or as irregular, translucent flakes. Rarely, manufacturers process it into pearls for specialized industrial uses, improving mixing or dispersion when handling large quantities. Bulk density falls around 0.7 to 0.9 g/cm3, offering good flow and easy handling in automated processes. Unlike bulkier solids or liquids, this powder remains stable at room temperature and resists clumping with proper storage. Calcium Citrate Anhydrous dissolves slowly in water, more readily in hot water. The absence of water in its structure aids not just the storage, but also conversion to solution forms when speed matters.

Chemical Properties and Behavior

Chemically, this material remains stable under ordinary conditions. It resists decomposition unless exposed to strong acids or high temperatures. It doesn’t combust easily, nor does it participate in redox reactions under normal manufacturing environments. In solution, it contributes both calcium and citrate ions. This dual action influences both nutritional value and the final material properties, such as buffering, pH stabilization, and chelation in solutions.

Specification Details and HS Code

For regulatory and logistics reasons, Calcium Citrate Anhydrous ships with HS Code 29181500 under international trade systems. Manufacturers specify purity, particle size distribution, calcium content (nearly 21% by mass), moisture content (very low), and solubility as key specs. Tests often include heavy metal content, microbial counts, and other safety screenings. These details help buyers confirm it meets food-grade, pharmaceutical, or technical requirements.

Material Handling, Safety, and Hazards

From a worker’s viewpoint, handling this compound rarely poses major hazards when basic precautions are followed. As a non-flammable, irritant-free material, Calcium Citrate Anhydrous ranks as one of the safer raw materials used in supplement making. Still, some risk shows up as airborne dust if large amounts are moved without proper protection, so masks and local exhaust ventilation can help. Workers should wash hands after handling, and spills sweep up easily with standard cleaning. In storage, it thrives in a dry, cool place away from acidic vapors or moisture, preserving its structural integrity and purity. Ingestion in recommended doses proves safe, but unregulated consumption may disrupt calcium balance or kidney function, especially for those with prior medical issues.

Raw Materials and Manufacturing Process

The roots of Calcium Citrate Anhydrous go back to a blend of citric acid and calcium salts, usually calcium carbonate or calcium hydroxide. The production involves precise reaction controls to drive the formation of citrate without introducing water into the final crystalline structure. Manufacturers filter, wash, and dry the product under controlled conditions, screening for impurities along the way. The finished product then passes through quality assurance to confirm bulk density, purity, and crystalline structure before shipping out as powder, flakes, or bespoke granular forms.

Applications and Solutions

From my time working alongside formulators in the supplement industry, this ingredient shows up everywhere: nutritional tablets, fortified beverages, baked goods, and even in key pharmaceutical blends. Its strong calcium bioavailability means your body actually absorbs and uses the mineral. It also maintains product stability, preventing unwanted reactions in multi-ingredient mixes and improving shelf life. Beyond nutrition, its citrate component helps stabilize formulas, buffer acidity, and even prevent scale build-up in industrial water systems. By specifying particle size or moisture content, customers in the food and healthcare markets can tailor this raw material to the job at hand, with little room for uncertainty or batch variation.

Environmental and Regulatory Aspects

Waste streams from Calcium Citrate Anhydrous manufacturing seldom raise red flags if effluent controls follow good practice. The biggest risks tend to come from manufacturer lapses—improper storage near acids or careless waste disposal causing calcium-rich run-off. Regulators in Europe, North America, and Asia require declaration of content, labeling of calcium levels, and regular safety submissions for any finished product. Food and pharma customers often look for third-party certifications to back up claims on purity or allergen safety.

Conclusion: Safety, Value, and Future Outlook

For anyone sourcing, formulating, transporting, or consuming Calcium Citrate Anhydrous, knowing the chemistry doesn't stop with a label. At every stage—whether it’s powder for tablets or flakes for food fortification—this compound delivers a reliable, safe source of calcium if handled with care, measured accurately, and kept away from problem contaminants. From an industry perspective, ongoing investment in cleaner, more efficient processing plants, tighter regulatory oversight, and better worker education continue to push the quality bar higher, directly impacting the health and safety of millions relying on this raw material every day.