Citric acid, a naturally occurring organic acid found in citrus fruits like lemons, limes, and oranges, serves various purposes across industries:
Food and Beverage Industry: It is widely used as a flavor enhancer, providing a sour taste to soft drinks, candies, jams, and gelatin desserts. Additionally, it acts as a preservative, extending the shelf life of canned fruits and vegetables by inhibiting bacterial growth.
Pharmaceuticals: Citric acid is a common ingredient in pharmaceuticals, often used as a buffering agent to adjust the acidity or pH of medications. It can also serve as a chelating agent, helping to enhance the stability and effectiveness of certain drugs.
Cosmetics and Personal Care Products: In skincare products, citric acid is employed as an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) to exfoliate dead skin cells, promote cell turnover, and improve skin texture. It is also used in shampoos and soaps to adjust pH levels and enhance cleaning properties.
Cleaning Products: Due to its acidic properties, citric acid is effective in removing mineral deposits, stains, and scale buildup in household cleaners such as bathroom and kitchen cleaners, dishwasher detergents, and descaling agents for coffee machines and kettles.
Industrial Applications: Citric acid finds use in various industrial processes, including water softening, metal cleaning, and as a catalyst in chemical reactions.