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4 Common Uses of Citric Acid

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Calendar Icon September 28, 2022

What are the different uses of citric acid?

  1. Flavoring and preservation
  2. Manufacturing cosmetics and hygiene products
  3. Medical uses
  4. Cleaning products

You may not have heard about citric acid, but you’re sure to have tasted its flavor. Citric acid is a natural substance commonly found in citrus fruits, particularly lemon and lime. It’s what gives the fruits a sour and tart taste. It was first extracted in the early 1900s. Since then, many industries have found different uses for citric acid. 

Below are the 4 common uses of citric acid. Let’s learn about its various applications through this blog. You may just find a way to apply and use it in your daily life. 

What is Citric Acid?

What is Citric Acid?

Citric acid is naturally derived from various fruits. The best sources for it are lemon and lime, but you can also get lesser amounts from other fruits like tomatoes, cherries, and tomatoes. 

When derived, it becomes a colorless and odorless compound. This is used and applied in various industries from food to cosmetics to cleaning. 

Flavoring and Preservation

Flavoring and Preservation

The acidic properties of citric acid allow it to be widely used in the flavoring and preservation of food. This is done by deriving its antioxidants to help food be edible for longer periods. 

Citric acid slows down and prevents the formation of bacteria in food. This includes mold, fungus, and yeast. It also helps retain the food’s natural flavors, colors, and texture. That is how it’s able to extend its shelf life. 

The ascorbic acid found in citric acid is also used to help preserve meat and soft drinks. 

Citric acid can also be used to balance pH levels and acidity in some food. It is added to processed or packaged foods like ice cream, soda, and wine. 

Manufacturing cosmetics and hygiene products

Citric acid can be found in many skin care products available on the market. It helps in brightening the skin, minimizing fine lines, and even correcting dark spots. It is also formulated by various skincare brands so that you can use it near sensitive areas of the face like your nasal passages, lips, and eyes. 

Aside from skincare, it can also be used in personal hygiene products like deodorant and shower gel. It can provide the same benefits to your skin. 

Oktakem’s Citric Acid is a sour salt. It’s sold in 1kg packages, making it good for making many bath bombs and fizzes. You can also use this in making lotions, shampoos, and shower gels. 

On top of that, it is also used in products like lipstick and soap to help in its preservation. Sodium Citrate, a salt of citric acid, is added to these products to adjust their pH levels and help in preservation. It ensures that mold or yeast doesn’t grow or develop. 

Medical Uses

In the medical field, citric acid is used as an oral solution to make blood and urine less acidic. It can help in preventing the formation of kidney stones, as well as in the treatment of metabolic acidosis. 

If prescribed by your doctor, you can also use it on infections on the skin’s surface. Citric acid is capable of killing harmful bacteria, which is why it is commonly used for people who suffer from diabetes, the elderly, and smokers. 

Medicines also combine with sodium citrate and potassium to help prevent attacks of gout. It does this by also lowering the acidic levels in urine. 

Cleaning Products

Cleaning Products

Since citric acid is effective in killing bacteria, it has many benefits to lend to cleaning products. It is both a powerful disinfectant and stain remover. 

Citric acid is added to cleaning products to help remove tough stains. This includes water build-up on glassware, dishes, and other appliances. It can also be used for cleaning the bathroom. It’s proven effective to remove limescale and urine stains left on different surfaces. 

This natural substance can also be used to remove yellow or brown stains left by coffee and tea. You can use Oktakem’s Citric Acid to scrub off those pesky brown stains left in coffee mugs. It can also be useful in taking out scorch marks on metal appliances like a kettle. 

However, users of citric acid should note that water-based products that contain citric acid are prone to corrosion or rusting. To prevent this from happening, you just need to dry your metal products. 

Key Takeaway

Citric acid is a natural substance that has various applications in different industries. Skincare brands make use of this product for its natural skin benefits, while cleaning brands use it as a powerful disinfectant and stain remover. This shows how versatile the different uses of citric acid are. 

If you’re looking to buy citric acid or any other raw materials and swimming pool chemicals, you can check Oktakem’s online shop here, on Shopee, or at Lazada. We offer these products in 1kg packs at affordable prices. Want to buy these products in bulk? You can send us a message here for any questions or inquiries.