Potassium citrate

Potassium citrate (CAS 866-84-2) is a potassium salt of citric acid used across food, pharmaceutical, and personal care manufacturing. It functions primarily as a pH buffer, sequestrant, and acidity regulator, helping formulators maintain stability. In food and beverage production, it regulates acidity in dairy products, jellies, and low-sodium formulations where sodium-based alternatives are unsuitable. This versatility makes it a staple for modern food processing.

Pharmaceutical manufacturers use it as an active ingredient in urinary alkalinization products and as an excipient in effervescent tablets. It is also found in oral solutions to ensure consistent delivery of active compounds. Personal care formulators incorporate it into shampoos, skin creams, and oral care products to control pH. It effectively chelates metal ions that would otherwise degrade active ingredients in cosmetic formulations.

It also acts as a sequestrant in processed foods, binding calcium and magnesium ions to extend shelf life and improve texture. This ensures that products remain fresh and appealing to consumers over longer periods. The material is supplied as a white crystalline powder or granules, with granulated forms preferred for direct compression. Standard grades include FCC, USP, and Ph.Eur., covering all procurement requirements.

Monohydrate and anhydrous forms are both commercially available for various industrial applications. Grade selection typically depends on moisture sensitivity requirements in the target formulation and manufacturing process.