When you buy a bottle of soda, juice, or lemonade, have you imaged what ingredients they put in them? What keeps them from deteriorating? And what maintains their flavor? What else foods contain the same ingredients? Well, by reading this article, you shall understand all the mysteries.
Firstly, allow me to introduce our leading star – Disodium Hydrogen Citrate. Also known as Disodium Citrate (E331 ii).
Disodium hydrogen citrate is a white crystalline powder with the chemical formula Na2C6H6O7. It is the disodium salt of citric acid and is commonly used as a food additive and preservative. It is used in a variety of food products, including beverages, jams and jellies, processed cheeses, and carbonated drinks. It is also used in medical applications as a urine alkanizing agent and for the treatment of calcium and magnesium deficiencies.
Here are some specifications of disodium hydrogen citrate:
Molecular weight: 294.10 g/mol
Melting point: 300 °C (572 °F; 573 K)
Solubility: Highly soluble in water
pH: Between 7.5 and 9.0 in a 1% aqueous solution
Density: 1.76 g/cm³
Appearance: White crystalline powder or granular solid
In Food Processing Industry
As we all know, preventing juice, soda, and lemonade from going bad requires preservatives. And what’s the relation between disodium hydrogen citrate and preservatives? Correct! Disodium hydrogen citrate is a kind of preservative. It helps to prevent spoilage and extend the shelf life of foods. This is particularly important in processed meats and other perishable products that need to remain fresh for extended periods of time. By inhibiting the growth of bacteria and other microorganisms, disodium citrate helps to ensure the safety and quality of these foods. And it is suitable to be added to beverages like soda, juice, and lemonade…
That, one of the primary functions of disodium hydrogen citrate in food is to control acidity levels. It is often added to foods and beverages to adjust their pH levels, which can affect flavor, texture, and overall quality. For example, it is commonly used in carbonated drinks like soda to balance the acid content and create a more pleasant taste. Disodium hydrogen citrate is also used to regulate acidity in certain baked goods, jams, jellies, and candy products. That’s why you always see their existence in beverages.
In addition to its use as an acidity regulator, disodium hydrogen citrate is also an effective emulsifier. Emulsifiers are substances that help to mix two or more liquids that would normally not mix together, such as oil and water. In food products, emulsifiers are added to improve texture and stability. Disodium hydrogen citrate is commonly used as an emulsifier in processed cheese products, helping to keep the cheese from separating and creating a smoother, more consistent texture.
Disodium hydrogen citrate is also used as a preservative in some food products. As a preservative, it helps to prevent spoilage and extend the shelf life of foods. This is particularly important in processed meats and other perishable products that need to remain fresh for extended periods of time. By inhibiting the growth of bacteria and other microorganisms, disodium hydrogen citrate helps to ensure the safety and quality of these foods.
What else foods have it?
1. Processed cheese slices
2. Cheese spreads
3. Cheez Whiz
4. Canned soups
5. Salad dressings
6. Soft drinks
7. Energy drinks
8. Sports drinks
9. Flavored waters
10. Jellies and jams
11. Gelatin desserts
12. Sausages
13. Canned meats
14. Pickled vegetables
15. Fruit preserves
16. Powdered drink mixes
17. Margarine
18. Baked goods
19. Ice cream
20. Frozen dairy desserts
In Health Care Industry
Disodium hydrogen citrate works as a urine alkanizing agent by breaking down in the body to produce bicarbonate ions, which help raise the pH of urine. This can be helpful in treating conditions like gout and urinary tract infections that thrive in acidic environments.
As for its role in treating calcium and magnesium deficiencies, disodium hydrogen citrate helps increase the absorption of these minerals in the body by forming soluble complexes with them. This makes it easier for the body to absorb and utilize these important nutrients.
In conclusion, disodium hydrogen citrate is a versatile food additive that is widely used in the food industry as an acidity regulator, emulsifier, and preservative. Its many applications make it an essential ingredient in a wide range of food and beverage products, helping to ensure their safety, quality, and consistency. And it is generally recognized as safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) when used in accordance with good manufacturing practices. It has been used as a food additive for many years and is considered to be non-toxic.
