Anhydrous citric acid, with the molecular formula C6H8O7, is colorless and translucent crystal or white granule or white crystalline powder, which often contains one molecule of crystal water, is odorless, tastes extremely sour, and is soluble in water, alcohol and ether. Anhydrous citric acid can be obtained by controlling appropriate temperature during crystallization. The aqueous solution is acidic. Slightly weathered in dry air and deliquescent in humid air. Mainly used in food and beverage industry as sour agent, acidity regulator, flavoring agent, preservative and antistaling agent. It is also used as antioxidant, plasticizer and detergent in chemical industry, cosmetics industry and washing industry.
The molecular formula is C6H8O7·H2O, which is mainly used in food and beverage industry as sour agent, flavoring agent, preservative and antistaling agent.

1. In the food industry, it is used as the acidulant in the making of soda, candy, biscuit, can, jam, juice and so on. Moreover, it can be used as the antioxidant of grease.

2. In the medicine industry, it is the raw material of many pharmaceuticals, such as ferric ammonium citrate (blood tonic), sodium citrate (blood transfusion agent) and so on. Moreover, citric acid is also used as the acidulant in lots ofmedicines.

3. In the chemical industry, esters of citric acid can be taken as the non-toxic plasticizer to make the plastic film of food package.

4. It can be used as both the auxiliary agent in the industrial and civil detergent to make nuisanceless detergent andthe retarder in concrete. Moreover, it is also applied to industries like electroplating, leather and ink.

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