Contact Us
West Ujimqin Banner, Xilingol League, Inner Mongolia, China
© 2025 Alchemist Worldwide Ltd, All Right Reserved
Citric Acid Anhydrous stands out as a staple chemical raw material in food production, medical preparations, and industrial processing. This solid, water-soluble organic acid appears in a white crystalline form, often offered as powder, flakes, beads, pearls, or granules. Its structure follows the molecular formula C6H8O7, carrying a molecular weight of 192.12 g/mol. The absence of water molecules distinguishes the anhydrous form from the monohydrate variety, making it more concentrated and shelf-stable. The CAS Number 77-92-9 and Harmonized System (HS) Code 2918.14 classify and regulate its international trade.
Every molecule of Citric Acid Anhydrous is composed of three carboxylic acid groups and one hydroxyl group, arranged symmetrically around a carbon backbone. This structure underpins its strong acidity and versatile chelating ability, binding metal ions in aqueous solutions with ease. The lack of water not only makes it hygroscopic, prompting it to absorb moisture from the air, but also keeps its density at a stable 1.665 g/cm3 at 20°C. As a solid, it resists caking better than hydrated varieties, especially when sealed in tight containers away from humidity.
Citric Acid Anhydrous is most often encountered as odorless, translucent crystals, sometimes ground into a fine, almost snow-like powder or separated into chunky flakes. It dissolves readily in water, forming acidic solutions used in food recipes and cleaning agents. The solubility sits at approximately 133 g per 100 mL of water at 25°C, and it mixes into ethanol as well. Customers rely on reliable specifications such as pH (1.8 – 2.2 for a 5% solution), purity (typically 99.5% minimum), and controlled levels of sulfate, chloride, and heavy metals. These detailed specs help manufacturers maintain product safety and consistency, especially in applications where small impurities might trigger equipment issues or health concerns.
Suppliers drive different industries by offering Citric Acid Anhydrous in several forms. Food processors use pearled or granular forms to ensure smooth mixing in drinks, preserves, or candies, while pharmaceutical labs choose fine powders for precise dosing in medicinal tablets or powders. The solid state ships in bags or drums to keep it dry. Some cleaning product makers even dissolve it into solutions for descaling or sanitizing surfaces. Because of its crystal structure, it sometimes appears as large, transparent chunks before being milled or ground.
Working with Citric Acid Anhydrous means paying close attention to storage and handling. This acid poses low risk in food or household use, yet its dry dust can irritate eyes, skin, and the respiratory tract. A splash of diluted solution on broken skin or in the eyes creates a stinging sensation, but accidental ingestion of typical food-grade product remains low-risk. Those filling bulk sacks wear goggles and gloves, and dust collection systems limit inhalation. Transport and storage regulations label it as “not hazardous” by most global standards, but large-scale spills, especially in water, lower the pH and may cause short-term aquatic harm until diluted further. Keeping containers tightly sealed and dry prevents clumping and maintains shelf life.
Looking at daily use, Citric Acid Anhydrous hides within shelf-stable foods, flavor concentrates, soft drink syrups, and dietary supplements. Its sour bite sharpens soft drinks, while its acidity preserves canned tomatoes or pickled vegetables. In cleaning products, the acid breaks mineral scale in kettles, dishwashers, and pipes, clearing out stubborn deposits without leaving harmful residues. Industrial users find it in electroplating baths, cosmetics, and even as a buffering agent in laboratory reagents. The powder form blends smoothly into large production lines, but even the flaked variety dissolves quickly in high-shear mixing tanks.
Consistent sourcing of Citric Acid Anhydrous depends on fermentation of carbohydrate-rich crops, usually sugar beets or corn. Microbial fermentation converts sugars to citric acid with few byproducts, making it a preferred raw material for companies who care about green sourcing. International standards (FCC, USP, E330, Food Grade) control batches and limit impurities. Audits check each step, and traceability programs track lots from field to finished product. Because demand spans food, pharma, and cleaning sectors, periodic price spikes sometimes reflect crop shortages or logistic problems. Yet, the basic chemistry of citric acid, and the global spread of producers, mean steady supply for most consumer and industrial needs.
Citric Acid Anhydrous outperforms many incoming raw materials in processing lines. Its fine powder blends into beverage mixes and instant foods, while large crystals or pearls handle high-temperature applications. Industries like cosmetics favor it for natural claims, given its plant-based origin and gentle action on the skin. Water treatment plants inject its solutions to chelate metals without introducing toxins, lowering the environmental impact compared to traditional cleaners. Because its composition carries no nitrogen, chloride, or significant toxic elements, companies using it in eco-certifications or “natural” label programs avoid extra regulatory burdens.
Whether handling a liter of saturated solution in a kitchen or a tanker truck at a bottling plant, the ease of dissolving Citric Acid Anhydrous streamlines processes. Its rapid solubility simplifies batch mixing and reduces undissolved residue. Keeping the powder dry secures its flowability, so sealed packaging with desiccants prevents unwanted clumping. Shelf life, under the right storage conditions, easily stretches to several years, making bulk purchasing attractive to processors hedging against future price shifts. Chemists relying on its predictable reactivity minimize waste, using every gram for pH adjustments without secondary reactions or hazardous byproducts.
Global demand for Citric Acid Anhydrous, driven by lifestyle changes and processed food consumption, brings both opportunity and risk. Industrial producers look for alternative starch sources and energy efficiencies in fermentation to assure adequate supply. Regulatory agencies track for heavy metals and genetically modified input risks, making chemical traceability crucial. Ongoing improvements in packaging cut down on plastic use and maintain product integrity. Companies working in hazardous material logistics enhance labeling, training, and spill preparedness to protect workers and communities. All these efforts support a future where citric acid, despite its simplicity, continues as a reliable, safe, and green chemical for diverse industries.
West Ujimqin Banner, Xilingol League, Inner Mongolia, China
