Sodium Citrate Buying Guide-FAQs about buying Sodium Citrate
You may have seen the chemical name sodium citrate on an ingredient list, but what is it exactly?
This odorless white powder has tons of uses, from cheese-making to baby formulas. But finding good information about sodium citrate online can confuse you a lot. Without clear answers, you might wonder if you’re even using it right.
Luckily, this guide is here to demystify sodium citrate for good. Read on to learn what it is, where to get it, and how to use it safely and effectively in everything from cosmetics to your famous cheese sauce. No more guessing – soon you’ll be a sodium citrate master!
Sodium Citrate Overview
Sodium citrate is the sodium salt version of citric acid, used as both a food additive and a medicine. Its chemical name is trisodium citrate and its code is E331. It’s made by neutralizing citric acid using sodium hydroxide or sodium carbonate. Sodium citrate forms colorless crystals that easily dissolve in water, giving a cooling sensation.
As an additive, sodium citrate balances acidity. It is widely used as a chelating agent, stabilizer, flavor enhancer and emulsifier. The tart, salty taste of sodium citrate enhances overall flavor in foods and drinks like ice cream, cheese, soda pop, candy and desserts.
In medicine, sodium citrate is used as a gentle laxative and to treat metabolic acidosis. It helps raise urinary pH and citrate which keeps kidney stones from forming. So sodium citrate is a handy additive that promotes food safety, stability and great flavors.
What does sodium citrate do？
Sodium citrate has lots of uses in food and medicine. In foods, it’s mainly used to enhance flavor, control acidity and preserve freshness. It gives a tart, salty taste while regulating pH levels. By binding up metals, sodium citrate stops rancid flavors and stabilizes foods. It helps maintain the texture of emulsions and gels too. You’ll find it in cheese, ice cream, soda, candy and more.
In pharmaceuticals, sodium citrate acts as an alkalizing agent in medicines that treat metabolic acidosis. It also helps prevent kidney stones by raising citrate levels in urine. Sodium citrate works as a mild laxative as well for bowel preparation before colonoscopies. Its tart flavor makes it useful in oral rehydration salts too. Whether stabilizing foods or treating medical conditions, sodium citrate has many handy uses.
Is sodium citrate safe to eat?
Yes, sodium citrate is safe in the right amounts. It’s commonly used as a food additive and approved by regulators like the FDA and European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
Can sodium citrate be used in food and beverage products?
Yes, sodium citrate often gets added to foods and beverages as an additive. It shows up in cheese, beverages, jams, jellies and other items to boost flavor, improve texture and preserve things.
Can sodium citrate be used in cosmetics and personal care products?
Sodium citrate has good uses in cosmetics and personal care products. It can control and buffer pH of cleansers, lotions, shampoos to keep skin and hair at an optimal acidity. It also binds to metal ions that could make products go bad, helping them stay stable and fresh for longer. Additionally, it acts as a stabilizer and emulsifier in creams and lotions, preventing the separation of ingredients. This keeps formulations smooth and effective. Sodium citrate also helps regulate mineral buildup on hair from hard water. Its tart, citrusy taste means it works well in oral care too.
Can sodium citrate be used in meats?
Sodium citrate can be used in processed meats as a pH controller and to improve moisture retention and texture.
Can Sodium Citrate be used in the production of jams and jellies?
Sodium citrate often gets used as an additive when making fruit jams, jellies and preserves. It helps control acidity levels which lets the gelled texture form right when you make jams and jellies. Sodium citrate also improves flavor, working as a flavor booster that makes the fruit’s taste pop. It binds metal ions that could cause oxidation and spoiling. Additionally, sodium citrate enhances overall product stability and shelf life. Its skill to stabilize pH, trap metals and punch up flavors makes sodium citrate a really useful ingredient in fruit-based jams, jellies and preserves.
Can Sodium Citrate be used in the production of baby food?
Sodium citrate can serve some functional purposes in baby food production, but it is not get commonly used. It could potentially be utilized as a pH controller, preservative, and stabilizer in baby food recipes containing fruit, vegetables, or dairy ingredients. However, many baby food companies prefer to avoid extra food additives when possible. Sodium citrate may also impart more tartness than desired for most infant palates. While it is generally seen as safe and approved for use, sodium citrate is not an essential additive in simple, nutritious baby food recipes.
Can sodium citrate be used in the production of veterinary products?
Yes, sodium citrate finds its place in the veterinary world and pet food industry quite well. It serves as an alkalinizing therapeutic agent to help animals recover from metabolic acidosis. For pets needing hydration, sodium citrate can be added to their fluids to tackle dehydration issues. It’s also a multitasker in some pet foods. There it acts as a preservative, pH control agent and flavor enhancer. Plus, in the vet’s office, you’ll find sodium citrate in blood collection tubes which plays a crucial role as an anticoagulant.
How much sodium citrate should be used for cheese sauce?
When it comes to making cheese sauce, the amount of sodium citrate you’ll need varies based on how creamy or firm you want your sauce to be and your taste preferences. A good rule of thumb is to use about 1-2% of the total weight of the cheese you’re using. So if you’ve got 100 grams of cheese ready for that sauce, aim to add 1-2 grams of sodium citrate to reach that perfect texture.
How does sodium citrate compare to similar stuff?
Compared to other citrates like potassium citrate, sodium citrate is typically more soluble, stable, and cost-effective. It works similarly to citric acid for pH control and chelating but has higher solubility and buffering capability. Sodium citrate is widely available and often cheaper than alternatives like sodium phosphates when you need emulsification and stabilization. But formulators may choose non-sodium salts for low-sodium products.
Recipes and Formulas with Sodium Citrate
Adding 2-3% sodium citrate to cheese makes a smooth, creamy cheese sauce or dip. It can partially replace sodium phosphates in processed cheese at 1-3%. For ice cream, 0.1-0.3% improves texture and reduces ice crystals. At 0.5-1%, it emulsifies and stabilizes evaporated milk and dairy beverages.
Where can I buy sodium citrate?
You can buy sodium citrate from chemical suppliers or food ingredient distributors. It’s important to choose a reputable supplier like Mondstar. Mond Star is a professional sodium citrate provider that offers good purchasing guidance.
What is the packing of Trisodium citrate dihydrate?
We pack 25 metric tons per 20-foot container without pallets, using 25kg bags.
We can also customize labels to fit your requirements.
Conclusion
We’ve walked through everything important about sodium citrate in this detailed guide. Now, you’re well-versed in what sodium citrate is, its roles across different fields, how much to use it and what to watch out for regarding side effects. This info provides anyone, from food industry professionals to DIY beauty enthusiasts and even adventurous cooks, with the knowledge to use sodium citrate with confidence.
For sourcing high-quality sodium citrate, choose Mondstar. We’re a leading name based in China with over ten years of serving up exceptional food additives. With our seasoned expertise and dependable supply chain, you’re assured of premium sodium citrate fitting for any application you have in mind.
Considering adding sodium citrate to your lineup? Get in touch with Mondstar—we’re ready to help you meet your sodium citrate needs at any time.
