Trisodium citrate

  • Trisodium citrate
  • E331
  • Sodium citrate
  • Trisodium citrate

Colorless salt

Fixed

1.76 g · cm -3 ( 18 ° C)

Decomposition at 150 ° C

In water about 425 g · l-1 at 25 ° C

> 8000 mg · kg -1 ( LD50, rat, oral)

Template: Infobox chemical / molecular formula search available

Sodium is the sodium salt of citric acid. It consists of three sodium ions (Na ) and the citrate ion ( C6H5O73 - ). It has a soapy taste.

Production and representation

Sodium citrate can be extracted with citric acid by neutralization of sodium hydroxide solution.

Use

Sodium citrate is used in medicine to prevent the clotting of blood ( see also blood plasma apheresis). In pregnant women, it is used before anesthesia in advanced stages of pregnancy in order to neutralize the stomach acid. Reason: pregnant have an increased risk to aspirate their stomach contents during induction of general anesthesia.

As a food additive (E 331), it is used as an acidity regulator. The food industry uses it in numerous products:

  • Cheeses,
  • Jams,
  • Milk powder,
  • Condensed milk,
  • Fats,
  • Baked goods,
  • Energy Drinks,
  • Beer mixed drinks,
  • Effervescent powder
  • Iced tea,
  • Baking powder,
  • Fruit and vegetable preserves,
  • And many more.

It is used as the molten salt, and also in detergents as water softener is used.

CAS registry number
594989
de