Monosodium Citrate

The mono-substituted sodium salt of citric acid, retaining two free carboxylic acid groups per molecule. Provides the buffering and emulsifying function of citrate salts at a lower pH than the trisodium form, making it useful for applications where mild acidity must be retained alongside salt-based functionality.

White crystalline powder or granules with a slightly tart taste. Freely soluble in water. Mildly acidic in solution (pH approximately 3.5 to 4.0 at 5 percent concentration).

We supply food-grade and pharmaceutical-grade Monosodium Citrate from manufacturers in China holding ISO, Halal, Kosher and other certifications relevant to the product and production.

Common market grades include Standard Food Grade (FCC compliant), Pharmaceutical Grade meeting BP/USP specifications, and Specialty Granular Grade for direct-compression chewable supplement manufacturing.

Bulk and reduced-MOQ shipments. Batch-level COA covering assay, water content, heavy metals, and microbiology.

Monosodium Citrate is produced industrially by partial neutralization of citric acid with one equivalent of sodium hydroxide or sodium carbonate, followed by crystallization. The product retains two of the three carboxylic acid groups of citric acid, giving it a substantially lower pH than the trisodium form.

The compound exists primarily as a buffer pair with citric acid and trisodium citrate, with the three forms occupying different pH ranges across the citric acid titration curve. Monosodium citrate is the dominant species in the pH 3.13 to 4.76 range, which spans most beverage and confectionery applications.

Regulated as E331(i) in the EU, classified as Generally Recognized as Safe by the U.S. FDA, listed in BP and USP pharmacopoeias, and approved by JECFA without a numerical Acceptable Daily Intake limit.

The compound's strategic value is in providing salt-based citrate functionality (sequestration, buffering, mouthfeel) at the natural pH of the target product, without requiring co-addition of free citric acid to neutralize the alkalinity that trisodium citrate would introduce. This simplifies formulation in beverages and confectionery where exact pH targets must be hit.

In oral rehydration formulas the compound is used alongside trisodium citrate to deliver citrate alkalinity at the correct pH for gastric tolerance. The two salts together provide both pH targeting and citrate-equivalent base for systemic acidosis correction in diarrheal dehydration.

• Carbonated soft drinks and flavored beverages as a buffer that contributes mild tartness alongside pH stability
• Confectionery: hard candies, gummies, and chewables where mild acidity and saline mouthfeel are desired
• Effervescent tablets and chewable supplements; provides citrate buffering without the strong alkalinity of trisodium citrate
• Powdered drink mixes and instant beverages
• Pharmaceutical oral rehydration salts and electrolyte formulations
• Jams, jellies, and fruit preserves for fine pH adjustment
• Dairy applications: sour cream, cottage cheese, and acidified milk products
• Cured meat and seafood products as a sequestrant with mild acidity
• Cosmetic and personal-care products as a buffering agent