Properties
Citric acid, known as E330, is a natural substance which plays an important role in metabolic processes in the human body. On the industrial scale, citric acid is produced in the process of biotechnological fermentation of carbohydrate substrates using Aspergillus niger mould cultures.
As an acidity regulator, citric acid hinders unbeneficial enzymatic transformations. With salts, it creates a buffering system in foodstuffs, increases the activity of antioxidants, and forms complexes of metal ions. Citric acid is sold in an anhydrous as well as monohydrous form.
Application
In the food industry, citric acid is used, among other things, in confectionery products, desserts, dinner concentrates and ready-made dishes, coating glazes, margarines, soft drinks, tinned vegetables with meat, fermented milk drinks, fish products etc. In the cosmetic industry, it is sometimes used in the manufacture of cosmetics whitening skin and hyperpigmentation, hair rinses etc.