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Food Chemistry
Sodium Citrate (E331)
Formula:
Na3C6H5O7
GOST/CAS:
CAS 6132-04-3 / ГОСТ 31227-2013
Sodium citrate (trisodium citrate dihydrate) is a highly effective, multifunctional food additive that acts as a buffering agent, emulsifier, acidity regulator, and stabilizer. It appears as white crystalline powder or granules with a pleasant, saline-tart taste and is excellently soluble in water. Due to its ability to stabilize pH, bind calcium ions, and enhance the performance of antioxidants, sodium citrate is indispensable in the dairy, meat, confectionery, and beverage industries.
Applications
Dairy and Cheese Industry: Used as an emulsifying salt (melting salt) in processed cheese production to prevent protein clumping. It acts as a stabilizer in sterilized, pasteurized, evaporated, and powdered milk, significantly extending product shelf life.
Beverage Production: Included in the formulations of carbonated soft drinks, juices, energy drinks, and low-alcohol beverages to regulate acidity, impart a refreshing tart flavor, and maintain flavor stability over time.
Meat and Fish Processing: Applied to improve water-binding capacity in meat and sausage products, enhance the texture of the finished goods, fix the natural color of raw meat, and retard fat oxidation processes.
Confectionery and Bakery: Used in recipes for marmalades, jellies, jams, and soufflés to control the gelation process (by optimizing pectin performance), as well as in bakery items to improve dough quality.
Key Advantages
High Buffering Capacity: Effectively stabilizes and maintains the target pH level in food systems, preventing premature separation, curdling, or spoilage under varying temperature conditions.
Excellent Emulsifying Properties: Promotes a smooth, uniform texture in fat- and protein-containing mixtures, completely eliminating phase separation or syneresis (whey separation) in the final product.
Synergy with Antioxidants: Functions as a chelating agent by binding heavy metal ions, which greatly enhances the efficiency of preservatives and antioxidants, extending shelf life without losing visual appeal.
Safety and Purity: Fully biodegradable, non-toxic, and compliant with strict international and local food safety standards (Food Grade). It is completely safe and easily metabolized by the human body.
Storage & Transportation
- Store in dry, cool, and well-ventilated warehouses in tightly sealed original packaging, away from heat and moisture sources.
- Recommended storage temperature: from +5°C to +30°C with relative air humidity not exceeding 70%.
- Avoid direct sunlight exposure and do not store near strong-smelling substances (the product is prone to absorbing ambient odors).
- Transportation is permitted by all types of covered transport while maintaining the temperature regime. The material is non-hazardous and does not belong to any danger class. Shelf life is 2 years from the manufacturing date.
Technical Specifications
Appearance
Odorless white crystals or crystalline powder
Molecular Weight
294.10 g/mol
Assay (Main Substance)
≥ 99.0%
Density (at 20°C)
1.76 g/cm³
pH (5% Aqueous Solution)
7.5 – 9.0
Water Solubility (at 25°C)
Up to 720 g/l
Supply info
- Industrial multi-wall kraft paper bags with an inner polyethylene liner, 25 kg net weight.
- Heavy-duty polypropylene Big Bags (FIBC) of 1000–1200 kg for large wholesale orders.
- Custom packaging into smaller, branded PET containers is available upon individual client request.