Citric acid is a chemical constituent of many plants. Most of all it is in rose hips (470 mg / 100 g) and sweet red pepper (250 mg). The lemon that gave the supplement its name contains only 40 mg.
Once upon a time, acid was isolated from citrus fruits and fermented green mass of shag. The yield of the finished substance was small and very expensive.
The value of a powerful antioxidant was so significant that work on finding and implementing a cheap method of production, increasing the total amount of the target product did not stop even during the Second World War.
Citric acid is produced in two types: food and technical.
The name of the additive for food production, the conditions for its use are regulated by GOST 31726-2012. The document from January 01, 2017 will be valid in a new edition.
The antioxidant is called anhydrous citric acid E 330.The numbers indicate the code assigned to the additive by the European Union. In some documents, the spelling E-330 is found.
You can find other names:
- citric acid anhydrous E330, international designation;
- 2-hydroxy-1,2,3-propanetricarboxylic acid, chemical name;
- citric acid; p-hydroxytricarballytic acid, English synonyms,
- citronensaure (another spelling of zitronensaure), German;
- acide citrique, French.
Substance type
Food supplement E 330 is a representative of the group.
The uniqueness of citric acid is that, according to its technological properties, it can be classified into several categories:
- antioxidant (quickly binds free radicals, stopping peroxidation);
- (in an acidic environment, almost all known pathogenic microbes die);
- acidity regulator;
- color stabilizer.
According to the chemical structure, food additive E 330 is a tribasic hydroxycarboxylic acid.
Citric acid is obtained from carbohydrate-containing raw materials: beet molasses, starches (corn, wheat, potato). The starting products are fermented with certain selected strains of the moldy fungus Aspergillus niger. The output is a culture liquid containing up to 90% citric acid.
Separate it from other impurities using chemically precipitated chalk or milk of lime (a mixture of slaked lime with water). After purification, the acid is evaporated in a vacuum unit, crystallized, dried and packaged.
The chemical method of obtaining food additive E 330 does not give the right to attribute it to natural products, despite the use of natural raw materials at the first stage.Properties
| Indicator | Standard values |
| Color | White |
| Composition | hydroxycarboxylic acid, impurities (oxalate, sulfate); empirical formula C 6 H 8 O 7 |
| Appearance | crystalline powder |
| Smell | missing |
| Solubility | good in water, alcohols; bad on air |
| The content of the main substance | 99,5% |
| Taste | sour |
| Density | 1.66 g/cm3 |
| Other | thermally unstable, decomposes when heated |
Package
Citric acid is packaged in bags made of dense polyethylene film grade H, intended for food packaging (GOST 19360). After filling, the bags are sealed to ensure tightness.
The outer packaging is:
- grocery bags;
- three-layer paper bags brand NM (non-impregnated);
- corrugated cardboard boxes.
Other types of packaging materials may be used.
Food supplement E 330 is approved for retail sale. Citric acid is supplied in paper bags of 5 g and boxes (plastic or cardboard) of any size.
Application
In the food industry
The main consumer of the E 330 additive is the food industry.
Citric acid protects products from spoilage, improves their taste.
The variety of properties, easy interaction with others allow the use of citric acid in the production of a large number of food products: 
- bakery products (for acidification, improving the quality of flour, as a component of baking powder);
- canned, frozen, fresh vegetables and fruits (including surface treatment to protect against infection with putrefactive bacteria);
- confectionery (including for obtaining invert syrup);
- carbonated drinks, juices, nectars (pH regulator)
- chocolate and cocoa products (to stabilize the consistency);
- cheeses;
- fish products;
- bouillon cubes (as a hydrolysis catalyst);
- meat products (extension of shelf life, color fixer);
- vegetable oils, animal fats (as lipid antioxidant);
- alcoholic drinks (including beer).
- The list is far from complete.
The Codex Alimentarius allows the use of food additive E 330 in 70 standards.
In cosmetics
The cosmetics industry is not far behind the food industry. 
Citric acid acts as a synergist with other antioxidants. Usually it is introduced into the preparations along with, or acid under the general name "Fruit acids".
On the packaging of many skin care products, shampoos, anti-aging cosmetics, you can see the phrase "using AHA acids." The ingredient is positioned as an innovative supplement that whitens and deeply cleanses the skin.
Manufacturers are a little cunning. Mysterious letters denote all the same fruit acids, known for more than one century.
Supplements are indeed powerful biostimulants.
The antibacterial properties of the E 330 additive are used by manufacturers of men's hygiene cosmetics. Deodorants, lotions, sprays with citric acid disinfect the skin, normalize the acid balance.
Other
Other applications:
- pharmacology (in drugs that improve metabolism);
- household chemicals (descalers);
- petrochemical industry (to reduce the level of acidity of the drilling fluid);
- construction industry (additive to cement to prevent premature setting).
Benefit and harm
Citric acid is present in any living organism as an intermediate product in the breakdown and synthesis of proteins and fats.Its main function is to provide the body with energy. It is completely digestible and is considered safe as the mildest of the carboxylic acids. The allowable daily allowance has not been established.
Useful properties of food antioxidant E 330: 
- removes toxins;
- participates in cell renewal;
- improves immunity;
- reduces the risk of developing cancer.
Citric acid as an additive to cosmetics:
- successfully copes with acne, cleansing and narrowing the pores;
- gently exfoliates dead skin cells of the epidermis;
- promotes the production of collagen, shows a rejuvenating effect;
- removes fine wrinkles;
- improves complexion.
Harm associated with the use of large amounts of citric acid. A concentrated solution may cause:
- burn of the esophagus;
- destruction of tooth enamel. Dentists advise rinsing your mouth with clean water after drinking citric acid;
- allergic reactions upon contact with the skin.
The Kedr group, based on the results of its own independent examination, classified the food additive E 330 as a carcinogen, with the proviso that only large doses of the substance are dangerous.
In our detailed one, you will find useful tips on how to choose a quality bowl washer for your establishment and which brands you should give preference to.
Main manufacturers
50% of the supplied citric acid is produced by Chinese enterprises.
The rest of the production share is distributed among Russia, USA, France.
Main manufacturers: 
- Citrobel LLC (former Belgorod citric acid plant), the company accounts for 40% of citric acid on the domestic market;
- Anhui Fengyuan Biochemical Co. Ltd (China);
- agro-industrial corporation "Archer Daniels Midland" (USA).
The healing power of lemon has been known since ancient times. Prudent Egyptians generously added it to food, not only to complete the taste. Sour fruits neutralized the effect of poisons, which in difficult times it was customary to mix with enemies in food.
The absence of traces of lemon in the modern dietary supplement E 330 does not detract from its merits. The taste and medicinal properties of artificial citric acid make it one of the most useful.
It is only necessary to remember the need to comply with the measure.
Modern industries have learned to store food for a long time with the help of various artificial and natural preservatives. Unscrupulous companies add dangerous chemical components to the composition of the manufactured goods that can cause cancer in humans. You should be especially careful when buying imported products, since most countries sell prohibited goods to Russia.
But not all food additives are deadly. Some are beneficial, protect the product from premature spoilage, rotting, oxidation and changes in consistency. They are divided into 23 classes. Food supplements of natural origin are carotene (E160A), (E400), riboflavin (E101, and citric acid (Citric Acid or E330). It is E330 that will be discussed today. Let's find out what this component is. Immediately, we note that this the substance is officially approved for use worldwide.
Characteristic
In fact, it is an antioxidant that is obtained by artificial and natural methods. In appearance, it is a white crystalline substance with a sour taste. At high heating (up to 175 ° C) it decomposes into water and carbon dioxide. It was first discovered in the 18th century thanks to the Swedish chemist Carl Wilhelm Scheele. Since then, Citric Acid has been widely used in the food, oil and fat and pharmaceutical industries.
In small doses, it does not pose a threat to humans. Citric acid is naturally found in cotton leaves, Chinese magnolia vine, pineapples, cranberries, berries, citrus fruits, shag stalks, pomegranate, and unripe lemons. If earlier it was obtained precisely from the above components, today it is done using the biosynthesis of sugary substances by mold strains.
Application
Citric Acid is used as a flavoring and acidity regulator. The food industry uses this substance to prevent decomposition (present in juices, pastries, sweets, sausages). The pharmaceutical industry uses the supplement to improve energy metabolism and metabolism. Indispensable in the oil industry - used to neutralize cement and calcium ions during well drilling.
A certain niche was occupied by Citric Acid in cosmetics. An antioxidant is added to shampoos, masks, bath foam, gels, hair sprays. Lotions and face creams containing this acid prevent early aging, make the skin youthful, smooth and velvety. It is indispensable for oily skin: it helps narrow pores, removes excess fat, tones and gives freshness.
Use of E330
A dietary supplement in moderation has a beneficial effect on a person. She takes an active part in carbohydrate work and metabolic processes. It improves digestion, helps to remove harmful toxic substances, heavy metals and salts, reduces the acidity of the stomach, and increases the body's defenses. In addition, it has a mild sedative and antitumor effect. Some nutritionists recommend using it for weight loss. A few drops of citric acid must be added to compotes of dried apricots and honey.
Harm
Citric Acid (E330) is the strongest carcinogen, so the supplement should be used with extreme caution and not exceed the recommended amount. In case of an overdose, it can provoke pain in the abdomen, severe coughing, nausea, irritation of the gastric mucosa and damage to the enamel.
Concentrated acid, in contact with our skin, causes chemical burns. If it gets into the eyes, it can lead to loss of vision. Remember that any substance, even of natural origin, can cause irreparable harm if used in global dosages. Be careful and vigilant.
Food additive E330 is citric acid, which belongs to organic acids and is a natural preservative. It is a weak tribasic acid, which is a substance of a crystalline structure with a white color. Additive E330 is highly soluble in water and ethyl alcohol and slightly soluble in diethyl ether.
The molecular formula of citric acid is C 6 H 8 O 7. Esters and salts of citric acid are called citrates.
Citric acid is quite widespread in nature, it is found in all citrus fruits, berries, stems of tobacco crops, needles. Unripe lemons and Chinese magnolia vine are especially high in this acid.
For the first time, citric acid was obtained by the Swedish pharmaceutical chemist Carl Scheele from lemon juice in 1784. Later in industrial production, citric acid was obtained using lemon juice and shag biomass. Now citric acid is mostly obtained by biosynthesis by molds. Aspergillus niger sugar and sugary foods. In addition, part of the E330 additive is obtained from plant products, as well as by synthesis.
Citric acid is a participant in metabolic processes that provide the body with two-thirds of the energy it needs. This series of reactions is called the tricarboxylic acid cycle or the Krebs cycle. Thanks to this discovery, in 1953, Hans Adolf Krebs became the Nobel laureate in physiology or medicine.
Citric acid is widely used in the food industry, the production of detergents, as well as in cosmetology and pharmacology.
Citric acid and citric acid salts such as potassium citrate, sodium citrate, and calcium citrate are food additives used to control acidity, enhance flavor, and as a preservative. The E330 additive is especially widely used in the production of beverages, confectionery and bakery products. In the latter, the E330 additive is often used as one of the components of baking powder or dough "improvers". In combination with alkalis, such as baking soda (E500), the E330 additive reacts violently with the release of carbon dioxide, which gives the dough splendor and airiness.
When working with citric acid, it must be taken into account that its concentrated solution can be harmful if it comes into contact with the skin and eyes, and excessive use can damage tooth enamel. Inhalation of dry citric acid can lead to irritation of the respiratory tract, and a single use of a sufficiently large amount of it can provoke bloody vomiting, coughing and irritation of the gastric mucosa.
All known food control organizations classify food additive E330 as safe for health.
In Ukraine and the Russian Federation, the E330 additive is included in the list of permitted food additives.
Almost every housewife in the house has citric acid, which is indispensable in cooking. For about a century, it has also been used for industrial purposes in the production of a wide variety of products. True, in the past few decades, this nutritional supplement is indicated on the packaging as E330 - a substance responsible for stabilizing products and maintaining the required level of acidity. It would seem that citric acid is completely harmless to the human body, but this is not at all the case. In large volumes, E 330 can become a serious source of health problems even in perfectly healthy people.
What are the benefits of citric acid?
Initially, this white substance, odorless, but with a characteristic sour taste, was extracted from various fruits. Citrus fruits and, first of all, lemons were considered the leader in the content of "lemon". However, if at home the required amount of such a preservative and stabilizer can be obtained from the juice of this fruit, then for the industrial production of E330 this option is considered quite expensive. It is for this reason that in the middle of the last century, the technology of synthesizing citric acid from chemicals was mastered in many countries of the world, which served as a powerful impetus for the development of the canning food industry.
Citric acid is an excellent preservative, since most of the microbes known to mankind do not survive in an acidic environment. In addition, E330 belongs to the category of the most powerful antioxidants, thanks to which you can keep the freshness of almost any product. Separately, it is worth mentioning the stabilizing qualities of "lemon", which perfectly regulates the taste of any food, whether it be lightly salted cucumbers or fruit jelly.
Scope of E330
Initially, citric acid was used in the food industry and, first of all, in the confectionery industry. Sweets and pastries, desserts and creams - all these delicacies still include E330 to this day. Plus, the vast majority of carbonated drinks today contain E330. After the antioxidant properties of citric acid were discovered, it became an invariable component in the production of cosmetics. The anti-aging effect of E330 is widely used in creams and masks, shampoos and sprays. The antibacterial properties of citric acid have been appreciated by manufacturers of deodorants and aftershave lotions, which now provide very long-term protection of the skin from germs and have disinfectant qualities.
"Lemon" has the ability to dissolve calcium. It is for this reason that it is part of all kinds of cleaning and detergents that we all use in everyday life. With their help, you can easily remove scale and white deposits from various surfaces without much mechanical effort. The same property of E330 has found wide application in the petrochemical and gas industry.
Why is citric acid so dangerous?
It has been proven that in small doses, the E330 stabilizer has a very positive effect on the human body, as it has anti-aging and antibacterial properties. but high concentration of E330 in cosmetics can cause chemical burns epidermis and respiratory mucosa. In addition, upon contact with tooth enamel, due to the neutralization of calcium, citric acid contributes to its destruction. Foods containing E330 are not recommended for people suffering from gastrointestinal diseases, since citric acid can only aggravate the problem. Moreover, a large concentration of this substance in drinks or food can lead to burns of the esophagus.
Citric acid (E-330) or Lemon acid- natural or synthetic antioxidant. It is found in many fruits: citrus fruits, cranberries, pomegranates, pineapples. The taste is purely sour, not astringent. Participates in the metabolism in the body.
Shows properties common to all carboxylic acids. Salts and esters of citric acid are called citrates. When heated above -175 °C, it decomposes into carbon dioxide and water.
Lemon acid registered as a food supplement with code E-330
Obtaining citric acid E-330
Citric acid was previously obtained from lemon juice and shag biomass. Currently, the main way of industrial production is biosynthesis from sugar or sugary substances (molasses) by industrial strains of the mold fungus Aspergillus niger, or by fermentation of sweet sugar production waste - molasses.
In addition, citric acid is isolated from plant materials - lemon, shag leaves, pineapple waste.
Impact on the body
Harmless. Participates in metabolism (metabolism). There is an individual intolerance to citric acid
Application
Lemon acid (E-330) is widely used as a flavoring agent in food products. Available in almost all fruit and vegetable juices, confectionery, juice drinks.
Lemon acid is part of many cosmetic preparations: elixirs, lotions, creams, shampoos, hair fixatives, etc. Here it is mainly used as a pH regulator (acidity regulator).
In the oil and fat industry, citric acid protects products from the decomposing effect of traces of heavy metals in them, by forming complex compounds with them. In this way, the likelihood of rancidity of fats, margarines and animal oils is significantly reduced.
- international title Citric Acid Monohydrate
- Formula C6H8O7 H2O / HOOC-CH2C(OH)(COOH)CH2-COOH H2O
- Molecular weight 210.14
- GOST 3652-69
- CAS 5949-29-1
- EINECS 201-069-1
- RTECS GE-7810000
- TNVED code (Unified Commodity Nomenclature for Foreign Economic Activity of the Eurasian Economic Union): 2918140000
- GNG code (Harmonized nomenclature of goods): 29181400
- Code ETSNG (Unified Tariff and Statistical Nomenclature of Cargoes): 51600
- British Pharmacopoeia BP 93
- USP 23
