Citric acid is the largest organic acid produced by biochemical methods in the world. Citric acid and salts are one of the pillar products of the fermentation industry and are mainly used in the food industry, such as acidulants, solubilizers, buffers, antioxidants, Deodorant, flavor enhancer, gelling agent, toner, etc.
What are the applications of citric acid in food additives?
What does citric acid do for cleaning?
What is the role of citric acid in animal farming?
What are the applications of citric acid as food additives?
As a food additive, citric acid is mainly used in carbonated beverages, fruit juice beverages, lactic acid beverages and other refreshing beverages and pickled products, and its demand varies with seasonal climate changes. Citric acid accounts for about 2/3 of the total consumption of sour agents. The addition of citric acid to canned fruit can maintain or improve the flavor of the fruit, increase the acidity (lower pH) of certain fruits with lower acidity when canned, weaken the heat resistance and inhibit the growth of microorganisms, and prevent the Bacterial bloating and damage that often occurs in canned fruit. Adding citric acid as a sour agent in candy is easy to harmonize with the fruity taste. The use of citric acid in gel food jams and jelly can effectively reduce the negative charge of pectin, so that the intermolecular hydrogen bonds of pectin can gel. When processing canned vegetables, some vegetables show an alkaline reaction. Using citric acid as a pH adjuster can not only play a seasoning role, but also maintain its quality. Citric acid has the properties of chelation and pH adjustment, which can increase the performance of antioxidants in the processing of quick-frozen food, inhibit the activity of enzymes, and prolong the shelf life of food.
What does citric acid do for cleaning?
Citric acid has an excellent cleaning effect, which is mainly reflected in the following aspects:
Removing scale: Citric acid can effectively dissolve calcium and magnesium ion deposits in water, and is often used to remove scale and mineral deposits on kettles, coffee machines, bathroom tiles, and glass.
Softening dirt: Citric acid can decompose the alkaline components in the dirt, help soften stubborn stains, and make cleaning easier.
Deodorization and sterilization: Citric acid has certain antibacterial and deodorizing effects, can neutralize odors, and improve environmental hygiene.
Removing soap stains and rust: At a certain concentration, citric acid can help remove soap stains, rust spots, etc.
Environmentally friendly and safe: Citric acid is naturally derived and biodegradable, and is milder and more environmentally friendly than some chemical cleaners.
What is the role of citric acid in animal farming?
Citric acid is formed by carboxylation of acetyl-CoA and oxaloacetate in the body's tricarboxylic acid cycle, and participates in the metabolism of sugar, fat and protein in the body. Natural citric acid exists in the bones, muscles, and blood of plants (such as lemons, citrus, pineapples, etc.) and animals, and artificially synthesized by fermentation of sugar-containing substances such as sugar, molasses, starch, and grapes. Adding citric acid to compound feed can disinfect, prevent mildew, and prevent salmonella and other infection of animal feed. The intake of citric acid by animals can reduce the proliferation of pathogens and inhibit the production of toxic metabolites, and improve animal stress.
For more information about citric acid, please connect POLIFAR. POLIFAR was founded in 2013 and focuses on animal and human nutrition. POLIFAR currently has more than 30 employees and has operations in more than 70 countries and regions.