Citric Acid Monohydrate, CAM

Product Overview

Citric Acid Monohydrate (monohydrate citric acid, CAS 5949-29-1) is a white to colorless crystalline powder (orthorhombic crystals) that functions as a natural acidulant, preservative, antioxidant and chelating agent. The monohydrate form retains about 7.5–9.0% moisture and is commonly used where controlled moisture content is acceptable or preferred (food, beverage, pharmaceutical excipients and many industrial uses).

Citric acid monohydrate occurs as colorless or translucent crystals or as a white crystalline, efflorescent powder. It is odorless and has a strong acidic taste. The crystal structure is orthorhombic. monohydrate crystals lose water of crystallization in dry air or when heated to about 40 to 50℃. Citric acid monohydrate softens at 75℃ and melts at approximately 100℃. It serves as a natural preservative and is commonly utilized to contribute an acidic or sour taste to foods and soft drinks.

Key Specifications

Melting Point	135 °C
Boiling Point	56 °C760 mm Hg(lit.)
Bulk Density	800-1000kg/m3
Density	0.791 g/mL at 25 °C(lit.)
Vapor Density	2 (vs air)
Vapor Pressure	184 mm Hg ( 20 °C)
Refractive Index	n20/D 1.359(lit.)
Fp	1 °F
Storage Temp.	No restrictions.
Solubility	Citric Acid Monohydrate is very soluble in water, freely soluble in ethanol and sparingly soluble in ether.
Form	Solid
PKA	3.138, 4.76, 6.401
Color	White
Specific Gravity	0.810 (20/4℃)
Odor	Typical, practically odorless
PH	1.85 (50g/l, H2O, 25℃)
Water Solubility	1630 g/L (20 oC) ;H2O: soluble 54% (w/w) at 10°C (Citric acid in water)
Sensitive	Hygroscopic

Functional Uses & Typical Applications

Food & beverage: acidulant, flavor enhancer, anti-staling agent (candies, jams, soft drinks).
Pharmaceuticals: excipient, buffering agent, antioxidant, citrate buffer preparation and platelet citrate use (consult pharmacopeia grade / USP).
Industrial & technical: metal chelation, cleaning/descaling, textile and dyeing auxiliaries, toner/ink formulations, and as a carbon source in specialty syntheses (e.g., carbon dots).
Laboratory & analytical: antigen unmasking buffers, citrate buffers for biological prep.

It is a tricarboxylic acid found in citrus fruits. Citric acid is used as an excipient in pharmaceutical preparations due to its antioxidant properties. It maintains the stability of active ingredients and is used as a preservative. It is also used as an acidulant to control pH and acts as an anticoagulant by chelating calcium in the blood. Additionally, Citric Acid Monohydrate is used as an acidulating, food additive, and synergist in antioxidant mixtures.
It has multiple applications. It is used for preparing citrate buffer in platelets for intravital microscopy and as a buffer component for unmasking antigens and epitopes. Additionally, it functions as a pH-control agent in food, beverage, and pharmaceutical industries. In animals, it enhances the efficiency of nutritional calcium utilization.

Citric acid monohydrate acts as a preservative and antioxidant. It is also used as an acidulant, flavoring agent and antistaling agent in fruit drinks, candy, cookies, biscuits, canned fruits, jams, and jellies. It differs from other forms of citric acid by having a moisture percentage ranging from 7.5-9.0.

Packaging, Grades & Supply

Standard packaging: 25 kg bag (paper/PE lined), jumbo bag or bulk per request. FCL capacity: ~25 t (no pallet) / 22 t (with pallet).
Grades: food / food-grade, pharma/USP (available on request), technical grade. COA, MSDS and technical data sheets provided.
Lead time & MOQ: flexible — samples available (customer pays courier).

Safety, Handling & Storage

Citric Acid Monohydrate is low-toxicity but acidic: avoid eye/skin contact and inhalation of dust. Store sealed in a cool, dry place; material may effloresce or lose water at elevated temperature/dry air. See MSDS for full PPE, first-aid and spill response instructions.

Why buy from Greenchem International?

Quality assurance: batch COA shared before quotation; strict QC.
Stable supply & capacity: long-term partnerships with manufacturers; steady exports to global markets.
Flexible commercial terms: competitive citric acid monohydrate price, 25 kg retail packs or bulk FCL for industrial buyers.
Technical support: formulation advice for food, pharma and technical customers.

Ordering & Inquiry

To buy Citric Acid Monohydrate (CAS 5949-29-1) or request COA / sample / price, tell us required grade (food / USP / technical), quantity and delivery port — we’ll reply with a tailored quote, lead time and documentation. Request a sample or quote now.