Monosodium Citrate Anhydrous

Brief Overview

Monosodium citrate, or sodium dihydrogen citrate, is one of the 3 citric acid salts with the chemical formula NaH₂C₆H₅O₇. It is commonly used as a relatively strong sequestrant due to the 2 labile hydrogen atoms on the citrate molecule.

Manufacturing Process

Monosodium citrate can be prepared by 1 step reaction between sodium carbonate or bicarbonate and citric acid:

NaHCO₃ (s) + C₆H₈O₇ (aq) → NaC₆H₇O₇ (aq) + CO₂ (g) + H₂O (l).

Food Industry

It is often used as a food preservative and as a flavouring in the food industry. Mono sodium citrate imparts a cool and saline taste to beverages. It also acts as a buffer together with free acid in beverages and jellies.

Pharmaceutical Industry                       

In the pharmaceutical industry, it is used to control pH. It may be used as an alkalizing agent, buffering agent, emulsifier, or as a strong sequestering agent. Mono sodium citrate is also used as an anticoagulant in donated blood.