Found naturally in citrus fruits and other fruit juices such as lemons, limes, oranges, and grapefruits, citric acid is an intermediate organic compound in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle mainly produced by fermentation. Citric acid is an organic acid that helps treat health issues like kidney stones. It hampers kidney stone formation and breaks up small stones that are starting to form. It’s also used to balance or preserve medicines and as an antiseptic against viruses and pathogens.
In the early 1900s, American food chemist James Currie discovered that there is another way to produce citric acid and that is from the black mold which creates citric acid as a byproduct of metabolizing sucrose or glucose called Aspergillus niger. This way, it has proved more efficient, economical, and less expensive than extracting citrus fruits, especially for industrial use. Citric acid is also a subsidiary product of cheese, wine, and sourdough bread production.
And while citric acid is naturally sourced from lemon and limes, it is also widely used in many consumer goods, in the food and beverage sector. It stimulates a natural fruit flavor and gives the required degree of tartness as an acidulant in soft drinks and syrups. However, getting bulk citric acid compound naturally is too expensive and so scientists started manufacturing it to meet the demand the supply can’t suffice. Companies like Pfizer and Citrique Belge started to mass-produce it on an industrial scale.
Eating foods with naturally occurring citric acid has advantages because it acts as an antioxidant, meaning that it protects the body from damaging oxidative. Consuming massive quantities of antioxidants helps with everything from heart protection to cancer prevention.
Purchasing citric acid in bulk is economically favored when you’re doing DIY products such as making bath bombs, hydrating into a liquid easily for pH adjusting, and just about any application.
Food
Bulk production of citric acid is used frequently as food additives to processed and prepackaged foods and drinks such as sodas, powdered beverages, packed juices, candies frozen, canned, and jarred foods, as a preservative, an emulsifying agent, and as a sour flavoring. Citric acid is added to many canned fruits and vegetables to help prevent botulism caused by the toxin produced by Clostridium botulinum.
Cosmetics and Hair Care
It is an AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid) ingredient in skincare products, citric acid functions essentially as an exfoliant and an antioxidant that can help brighten skin, remove dead skin cells and dirt, correct dark spots, and minimize fine lines thereby improving one’s complexion. As an antioxidant, citric acid protects the skin against free radicals.
They are also present in many cosmetic and hair stylings products such as hairsprays, shampoos, deodorants, and body sprays. Some people who love to purchase in bulk, use citric acid for making lipstick products, soap, and detergents. Citric acid salts like sodium citrate are used to preserve cosmetics and hair products to help adjust their pH level by bringing it down, which reduces frizz and gives a lush appearance on the hair. Products containing citric acid are very much safe for babies’ skin.
Medical uses
Citric acid is an essential ingredient in medicines and other dietary supplements used to help kill harmful bacteria, as well as infections. It is added to medicines with sodium citrate and potassium citrate to aid illnesses that are common in old people, people with diabetes, and cigarette smokers lowering acid levels in the urine to prevent gout.
Cleaning products
Citric acid is a useful disinfectant to combat bacteria and viruses, they may be added to commercial cleaning products and a safer alternative to conventional disinfectants like quat and chlorine bleach. Although, it is commercially and widely produced as an all-around disinfectant for removing hard water build-up on dishes and glassware, scum, lime, and rust.
Available in powder form, citric acid can be bought in bulk for any domestic use. They are usually seen in grocery stores and are available in small shakers, pouches, and tubs. If you’re looking to purchase citric acid in bulk, it is highly recommended that you take a shot at Make Your Own Buzz for a top-quality bulk citric acid supply.
