Magnesium citrate

Magnesium citrate (CAS 3344-18-1) is the magnesium salt of citric acid, commercially known under names including Citramag, trimagnesium dicitrate, and magnesium dicitrate. It carries no assigned E-number in the EU but is recognised across food, pharmaceutical, and personal care regulatory frameworks.

In pharmaceutical formulations, magnesium citrate acts as a bioavailable magnesium source and osmotic laxative, drawing water into the intestinal tract to promote motility. In food and beverage systems, it functions as a pH buffer and chelating agent, binding free metal ions that would otherwise accelerate oxidative degradation. Personal care formulators use it as a skin conditioner and antimicrobial stabiliser in aqueous systems.

Magnesium citrate is available in food-grade and pharmaceutical-grade powder forms, with quality benchmarks including FCC and Ph.Eur. specifications. The substance is subject to REACH registration requirements for EU supply. Packaging formats typically include 25 kg bags, with bulk options available depending on supplier.