Potassium citrate
- E 332
- Potassium citrate monohydrate
- Tri- potassium -1 - hydrate
A12BA02
Colorless crystals
- 306.39 g · mol -1
- 324.41 g · mol -1 ( with water of crystallization)
Fixed
1.98 g · cm -3
> 180 ° C (release of water of crystallization)
> 230 ° C ( decomposition)
- In water: 606 g · l-1 (25 ° C)
3000 mg · kg -1 ( LD50, rat, oral)
Template: Infobox chemical / molecular formula search available
Potassium citrate is the potassium salt of citric acid. It is a white, slightly hygroscopic, odorless powder having a slightly salty taste. It is used in medicine, the food industry and in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.
Representation
Industrial Potassium citrate is synthesized from citric acid, which may be obtained using genetically modified organisms.
Use
Medicine
Potassium citrate is primarily used for the treatment of kidney stones. It is absorbed very quickly by the body after oral administration; an excess of potassium or citrate is excreted in the urine. Potassium citrate is an effective prophylaxis against kidney stones from uric acid ( a by-product in gout ), cystine or calcium oxalate, the active principle in organic stones alkalinization of the urine, and oxalate is to increase the solubility by complexation. The effectiveness does not apply to all stone compositions. A study of 500 patients with recurrent kidney stones has shown that treatment with potassium citrate was by reducing the average number of stones per year from 2 to a Half.
Like many other potassium salts of potassium citrate may prevent cardiac arrhythmias, which are caused by lack of potassium in the blood. In addition, for potassium demonstrated in clinical studies that it counteracts the loss of calcium through the kidneys and the calcium loss from the bones. So was a prospective controlled intervention study in 161 postmenopausal women with osteopenia that the partial neutralization of a diet -induced acid load (using 30 mmol of potassium per day, equivalent to 3.52 g of potassium) for a period of twelve months, the bone density is significantly increased and the bone structure significantly improved. Potassium citrate had just as effective as raloxifene, an estrogen receptor modulator, which is used in the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. In addition, potassium citrate has an antihypertensive effect, reducing blood pressure shown to be as effective as potassium chloride.
Food technology
Potassium citrate is used as a souring agent and acidity regulator and as a complexing agent or melting salt use. It is often found as an acidulant in beverages such as sodas or is used in the gelation of pectin. It is in the EU as a food additive under the E number 332 with no maximum limit ( quantum satis ) generally approved for all food.
Trade names
- Potassium Verla (D)