Lithium citrate

Lithium citrate (CAS 919-16-4), also known as trilithium citrate, is the lithium salt of citric acid used as a flavoring agent and acidulant in food and pharmaceutical applications. It delivers controlled lithium ion activity in formulations where precise dosing and compatibility with aqueous systems are required.

In pharmaceutical manufacturing, lithium citrate is formulated into oral liquid preparations as an alternative to lithium carbonate, particularly where faster dissolution and patient tolerability are priorities. Beverage producers have historically used it as an acidulant and flavor modifier.

This compound was most notably used in early citrus-flavored soft drink formulations. In dietary supplement production, it serves as a lithium source in low-dose mineral supplements targeting nutritional lithium intake for specific consumer health applications.

Pharmaceutical compounding operations also use it to prepare custom-strength lithium solutions for clinical dosing scenarios where solid dosage forms are not suitable. This flexibility makes it a vital component in specialized medical and nutritional manufacturing environments.

Lithium citrate is supplied as a white crystalline powder in both anhydrous and tetrahydrate forms. Anhydrous lithium citrate is the more common commercial form, available in pharmaceutical-grade specifications meeting USP and BP standards.

Food-grade material is also available for applications requiring compliance with food additive regulations. The material is processed to ensure high purity and consistent particle size distribution for seamless integration into large-scale industrial production lines.