2022 Top 7 Citric Acid Manufacturers from China
- Niran Biochemical Limited
- Weifang ENSIGN Industry Co., Ltd.
- TTCA CO., LTD.
- RZBC GROUP
- COFCO Biochemical (Anhui) Co., Ltd.
- Yixing-union Biochemical Co., Ltd.
- Laiwu Taihe Biochemistry Co., Ltd.
Review
In recent years, the citric acid industry has been more and more concentrated because of the industry integration due to the increasing pressure of protecting the environment from Chinese government and the redundant capacity. The top 6 citric acid manufacturers occupy more than 97% of the national total capacity.
What is Citric Acid?
This is part of our ongoing series helping consumers better understand food additives. We translate the food science, explain the food natures, and give you an honest advice, so you can choose the right foods for your family!
Definition of Citric Acid
Citric acid, also known as the E330 to the scientific fraternity, is a weak organic acid with formula C6H8O7. It is a natural preservative which is present in citrus fruits. It is also used to add an acidic or sour taste to foods and drinks, found naturally in lime and lemon, but usually be produced in factories and industries. In biochemistry, the conjugate base of citric acid, citrate, is important as an intermediate in the citric acid cycle, which occurs in the metabolism of all aerobic organisms. It consists of 3 carboxyl (R-COOH) groups. Citric acid is a commodity chemical, and more than a million tons are produced every year by fermentation. It is used mainly as an acidifier, as a flavoring, and as a chelating agent. In food additive industry, citric acid is widely used as a preservative in various food items and as a flavoring agent in most of the food products.
Appearing as a crystalline powder, the citric acid belongs to the family of carboxylic acids when left at room temperature. To chemists, it is an intermediate in citric acid cycle. In biochemistry, it has significant influence with a notable role to play in the metabolism process of the living beings. Except for the biological and chemical details of acid, it is time for some facts about citric acid. Vitamin C is one substance that often got confused with this class of acid, but citric acid has nothing to do with Vitamin C. It is important to know that when you buy lemons in the hope of getting natural Vitamin C supplements, it may be citric acid that adds the sour taste to the food.
Applications of Citric Acid
Citric acid is most widely used as a flavoring and preservative in food and beverages, especially soft drinks. It can be added to the canned foods, gelatin based food products, desserts and meat products as it helps to extend the shelf life of food. It has strong power in breaking down the formation of bacteria in food. It helps to tenderize meat as it breaks down the protein found in meat. Besides, citric acid can be added to ice cream as an emulsifying agent to keep fats from separating, to caramel to prevent sucrose crystallization, or in recipes in place of fresh lemon juice.
Citric acid is also widely used in other industrial sectors, such as cleaning and chelating agent, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, dyeing, qualitative analysis, industrial and construction, photography and synthesis solid materials from small molecules.
