Introduction
Citric acid monohydrate is the hydrated form of citric acid, containing one molecule of water of crystallization per molecule of citric acid. It appears as a white or colorless crystalline powder, odorless, with a strongly acidic taste, and is highly soluble in water.
SNOWWHITE CHEMICAL CO., LTD is a professional chemical supplier based in Nanjing, China. The company’s core product portfolio includes toluene oxidation derivatives (benzoic acid, sodium benzoate, etc.), toluene/ethylbenzene chlorination derivatives, fumaric acid, maleic anhydride, and other fine chemicals. Building on global chemical supply experience, the company now offers citric acid monohydrate (CAS 5949-29-1) in three grades—Food Grade (E330/FCC/USP), Pharmaceutical Grade (USP/BP/EP/JP), and Industrial/Technical Grade—with ISO‑certified quality, competitive pricing, and global shipping.
What Is Citric Acid Monohydrate?
Citric acid monohydrate is the water‑containing form of citric acid, a naturally occurring organic acid found in citrus fruits. “Monohydrate” means one molecule of water is present in the crystal structure for each molecule of citric acid.
• Chemical formula: C₆H₈O₇·H₂O
• CAS number: 5949-29-1
• Molecular weight: 210.14 g/mol
Monohydrate vs. Anhydrous
The key difference is water content. Monohydrate contains 7.5–9.0% moisture, while anhydrous contains ≤0.5%. Monohydrate has slightly lower acidity per gram and dissolves a bit more slowly, making it better suited for liquid beverages and wet processing. Anhydrous is preferred for dry blends and effervescent tablets. A conversion factor of approximately 1.093 kg monohydrate per kg anhydrous applies when substituting one for the other.
Product Grades & Key Specifications
Food Grade
Approved as an acidity regulator, preservative, and flavor enhancer. Used in soft drinks, fruit juices, jams, candies, dairy products, sauces, canned foods, dry beverage mixes, wine, beer, baked goods, and meat processing.
Pharmaceutical Grade
Meets pharmacopoeia standards including USP, BP, Ph. Eur., and JP. Used as an excipient, pH modifier, buffer, and effervescent component in effervescent tablets, oral rehydration salts, syrups, chewable tablets, buffer solutions, antacids, and vitamin C formulations.
Technical Grade
Designed for non‑food applications. Used in industrial cleaning (descaling boilers, heat exchangers, coffee machines, dishwashers), metal treatment (stainless steel passivation, rust removal), water treatment (chelating agent for hard water, boiler/cooling tower treatment), detergents (builder and water softener), drilling fluids, cosmetics (pH adjuster, ≤6%, pH ≥3.5), textile processing, and soldering flux.
Typical Specifications
Citric acid monohydrate contains not less than 99.5% of C₆H₈O₇, calculated on the anhydrous basis.
For Food and Pharmaceutical Grades:
• Assay (anhydrous basis): 99.5 – 100.5%
• Water content (Karl Fischer): 7.5 – 9.0%
• Heavy metals (as Pb): ≤5 ppm
• Lead (Pb): ≤1 mg/kg
• Arsenic (As): ≤1 mg/kg
• Sulphate: ≤150 ppm
• Oxalate: ≤100 mg/kg
• Residue on ignition: ≤0.05%
• Bacterial endotoxins (pharma grade only): ≤0.5 IU/mg
For Industrial Grade:
• Assay (anhydrous basis): 99.0 – 100.5%
• Water content: 7.5 – 9.0%
• Heavy metals (as Pb): ≤10 ppm
• Lead (Pb): ≤2 mg/kg
• Arsenic (As): ≤3 mg/kg
• Sulphate: ≤200 ppm
• Oxalate: ≤200 mg/kg
Physical Properties
• Melting point: 135 – 152°C
• Density: 1.54 – 1.55 g/cm³ at 20°C
• Bulk density: 800 – 1000 kg/m³
• Solubility in water: 1630 g/L at 20°C
• pH of 50 g/L solution at 25°C: approximately 1.8
• pKa values: 3.13, 4.76, 6.4
• Shelf life: 24 months when stored in original packaging at 10‑30°C, relative humidity below 70%
Every shipment includes a Certificate of Analysis (COA) and Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).
Key Applications
Food & Beverage
Citric acid monohydrate is widely used as an acidulant, flavor enhancer, and preservative. Food and beverage applications account for approximately 50–70% of total global consumption. Common uses include carbonated soft drinks, fruit juices, energy drinks, jams, jellies, confectionery, dairy products, sauces, canned goods, wine, beer, and dry beverage mixes.
Pharmaceutical
Used in effervescent tablets and formulations requiring pH balance. Also functions as an excipient, buffer, stabilizer for active ingredients, and anticoagulant. Common applications include effervescent tablets, oral rehydration salts, syrups, chewable tablets, buffer solutions, antacids, and vitamin C formulations.
Industrial Cleaning & Water Treatment
Prized for its chelating properties, effectively binding metal ions in hard water to improve detergent performance. Used in descaling boilers, heat exchangers, coffee machines, dishwashers; water treatment as a chelating agent for boiler and cooling tower systems; and in detergents as a builder and water softener.
Cosmetics
Acts as a pH adjuster and chelating agent in shampoos, conditioners, bath products, facial cleansers, and serums. Typical concentration is ≤6% with pH ≥3.5.
Other Industrial Uses
Textile processing, soldering flux, and drilling fluid additives.
Manufacturing Process
Industrial citric acid monohydrate is produced via microbial fermentation of renewable carbohydrate feedstocks (corn syrup, molasses, or cassava) using Aspergillus niger. The process involves:
1. Fermentation – Carbohydrate sources are fermented under controlled pH and aeration conditions.
2. Extraction & purification – The broth is filtered. Calcium citrate is precipitated and treated with sulfuric acid. Ion exchange and activated carbon remove impurities.
3. Crystallization – Pure citric acid solution is crystallized from cold water to obtain the monohydrate form. Unlike anhydrous (crystallized from hot water), monohydrate retains one water molecule per citric acid molecule.
4. Sieving & packaging – Crystals are sieved to desired particle sizes and packaged accordingly.
Global Market Overview
The global citric acid market is valued at approximately USD 4.0‑4.7 billion, with food and beverage applications accounting for roughly 65% of total volume. China accounts for over 65% of global production capacity.
Market size: The citric acid market is estimated to grow from USD 3,296.1 million in 2026 to USD 4,741.3 million by 2036, at a CAGR of 3.7%. The citric acid monohydrate segment specifically is valued at approximately USD 5.0‑5.2 billion with a projected CAGR of around 6.8% through 2032.
Regional consumption: Europe approximately 32%, North America approximately 30%, Asia‑Pacific approximately 29%. India leads growth at 4.3% CAGR, followed by China at 3.8%.
Market drivers:
• Clean‑label consumer preferences driving demand for natural preservatives
• Pharmaceutical formulation requirements for high‑purity buffering excipients
• Bio‑based chemical transitions encouraging adoption in sustainable detergent portfolios
Why Choose SNOWWHITE CHEMICAL?
1. Competitive, direct pricing
The company works directly with ISO‑certified manufacturing facilities, eliminating intermediary costs. Whether the order is 1 MT or 100 MT, wholesale pricing applies.
2. Strict quality control
Every batch is tested for assay, moisture, heavy metals, lead, arsenic, sulfate, oxalate, and (for pharma grade) bacterial endotoxins. Full traceability is maintained. Samples are retained for two years.
3. Reliable global logistics
Sea freight (FCL/LCL), air freight, and express courier are available to any major port. Typical sea transit times: 25‑35 days to North America or Europe; 10‑20 days to Southeast Asia. Shipping documentation includes COA, MSDS, commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, and origin certificate.
4. Professional supply experience
Long‑term partnerships have been established with clients across more than 50 countries, including North America, Europe, South America, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Africa.
Common Questions
Q1: Monohydrate or anhydrous – which one should I use?
Monohydrate is preferred for liquid beverages and wet processing where moderate moisture is acceptable. Anhydrous is better for dry blends and effervescent tablets. The two forms can be substituted using a conversion factor of approximately 1.093 kg monohydrate per kg anhydrous.
Q2: Can I get a sample before placing a bulk order?
Yes. Free samples are available (buyer pays shipping). Testing in the buyer’s own formulation is recommended before ordering full quantities.
Q3: What is the difference between Food Grade, Pharma Grade, and Industrial Grade?
• Food Grade: Meets FCC/E330 standards. Used in food, beverages, confectionery, and dairy. Lower requirements on endotoxins and heavy metals.
• Pharma Grade: Meets USP, BP, EP, JP. Tighter controls on heavy metals (≤5 ppm), oxalate (≤100 mg/kg), sulfate (≤150 ppm), and includes bacterial endotoxin testing (≤0.5 IU/mg).
• Industrial Grade: Wider impurity allowances. Used in cleaning, water treatment, detergents, and cosmetics. Lower cost, suitable for non‑ingestion applications.
Contact Us
Contact SNOWHITE CHEMICAL CO., LTD now to get COA, free samples and the latest quotation.
Email: shirley@snowhitechem.com
Phone: +86-25-56215758
WhatsApp：+86-13776524331
