Citric Acid: An Ingredient for all Industries
Most people relate citric acid with fruit, and rightly so. This versatile acid occurs naturally and in large amounts in citrus fruits and berries. With its distinctly sour flavor, it is widely used as a flavoring and preservative for candy and food, but the Jacksonville chemical supplier, Bell Chem, has an abundance of other uses for citric acid in foods, beverages, personal care, and nutritional products.
Food and Beverages: The weakly acidic citric acid is a commonly used preservative since it has the ability to alter the pH when added as an ingredient to food or beverages. Since microbes generally have a limited pH range for growth and reproduction, citric acid controls or eliminates microbial growth. Because microbes shorten food shelf life, citric acid extends the amount of time a food remains fresh. Citric acid also prevents oxidation to fruits and vegetables, which keeps fresh foods from turning brown.
Industrial Uses: In cheesemaking, citric acid is a proven stabilizer of emulsions. Because it prevents fats from separating, cheese flavors remain constant with every bite. Beer and wine manufacturers use citric acid as a pH adjuster. In the frozen food industry, antioxidants extend shelf life; citric acid stimulates antioxidants to keep foods from spoiling. In detergents, stains dissolve more rapidly with the use of citric acid.
Personal Care: Pharmaceuticals and cosmetics utilize citric acid as a pH adjuster. Added to cosmetics, citric acid can be used in facial and skin products to stimulate epidermal cell regeneration. Many cosmetics focusing on lightening or depigmenting the skin — such as acne creams, wrinkle removers, or anti-aging creams — use citric acid as an ingredient. It is also an ideal mineral supplement to regulate pH and stimulate antioxidants.
Nutritional Products: Citric acid plays a leading role in the Krebs cycle, the process through which animals and plants metabolize energy. It also binds to any excess calcium in the blood to remove it from the body; since calcium is a main component in kidney stones, citric acid can reduce or prevent kidney stones.
Bell Chem’s citric acid is biodegradable and environmentally friendly. Order this chemical and many more from Bell Chem, your Jacksonville chemical supplier. Bell Chem’s headquarters is in Longwood, FL — just north of Orlando — with hundreds of products stocked in our 50,000+ square-foot warehouse. You can expect the highest quality products, expedited shipping options for maximum efficiency, and unrivaled, personalized customer service. Let our knowledgeable and friendly customer service representatives and accounting staff handle all your needs by calling 407-339-BELL (2355) or send us an online message.