Citric acid monohydrate

Citric acid monohydrate (CAS 5949-29-1), designated E330 in food and beverage applications, is a crystalline organic acid produced with one molecule of water of crystallization. It functions as an acidulant, pH buffer, chelating agent, and preservative across food, pharmaceutical, personal care, and industrial processing sectors. In food and beverage manufacturing, it acidifies and preserves products.

The additive is used in soft drinks, confectionery, and canned goods, where it controls pH and inhibits microbial growth simultaneously. Pharmaceutical formulators use it to buffer oral solutions and effervescent tablets. It is also used in topical preparations to target pH ranges that ensure stability and active ingredient compatibility. Personal care manufacturers incorporate it into shampoos, skin creams, and hair rinses.

As a pH adjuster and chelating agent, it sequesters hard water minerals to improve product performance. In water treatment, it removes scale deposits and chelates heavy metal ions in industrial cleaning applications. The product is supplied as a white crystalline powder or granules, with granule sizing available for specific processing requirements. Established grades include FCC, USP, BP, and Ph. Eur.

These standards cover food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic supply chains. Technical grade is also available for industrial and water treatment applications where pharmaceutical-level purity is not required.