What Is Sodium Citrate Trisodium Salt Dihydrate and Its Uses?

Do people know what is sodium citrate trisodium salt dihydrate? This element isn't something you're likely to find in your pantry, but you've probably heard of it if you've seen a recipe that called for it. So what is this product, and why should you care? The simple answer is that it's a substance used to thicken or stabilize foods, although there are many other uses for it as well. Here are more things people should know about this element.

What Is Sodium Citrate?

A trisodium salt compound used as a buffering agent, emulsifier, stabilizer, acidity regulator, preservative, and flavoring. Sodium citrate has many applications in food manufacturing as well as other industries. Because of its multiple uses, it is also available in various grades of purity. In some applications, such as meat processing, there are certain legal standards that must be met to ensure product safety.

In these cases, only certified grades may be used in accordance with HACCP regulations. Labeled or pure grade sodium citrate is typically used in non-meat related food products or in cosmetics. For example, because it works as an excellent buffer solution, it can be added to acidic foods like tomato sauce to help control pH levels, so they remain stable over time.

Uses of Sodium Citrate Trisodium Salt Dihydrate

To know how sodium citrate is used, one should first understand what it is. Sodium citrate salt (C6H5Na3O7·2H2O) is a white powder that has a bitter taste. If dissolved in water, it produces a clear solution with a sour odor. Most people will recognize product as an additive for foods or drinks. Some common uses of this element include:

>In breads, crackers, cereals, and cookies as a raising agent.

>To inhibit discoloration in canned fruits and vegetables by retaining their natural color.

>As an electrolyte for body fluids such as saliva to enhance oral hygiene (its ability to increase saliva makes it appealing for toothpaste).

>In bone chips, bone grafts, and artificial joints.

>To treat acidosis in people with kidney disease.

>As a food preservative for sausages, hams, luncheon meats, bacon, poultry meat, etc.

>In pharmaceuticals as an antacid or buffering agent.

There are other uses of this product as well; however, there is no need to go over each use here. The important thing to understand is that sodium citrate has different uses in various industries. Knowing what it is helps one make sense of why it is used in so many situations.

Side Effects

Sodium citrate has no reported side effects. The ingredient is considered safe for consumption as part of a balanced diet. However, it can result in allergic reactions in some individuals. Always consult with your doctor prior to use if you are unsure about its safety in your case. Some individuals may experience minor gastrointestinal issues when consuming high amounts of sodium citrate trisodium salt dihydrate on an empty stomach. In rare cases, dosage changes or discontinuation of usage may be required by medical professionals due to drug interactions.

Pregnant women should always seek expert advice before using any form of medication or natural supplement. Diabetics should avoid medications or supplements that contain sugar substitutes without consulting their physician first due to complications related to blood sugar levels and medication interaction potentials.

Benefits of Sodium Citrate Trisodium Salt Dihydrate
Sodium citrate gets applied as a water softener. As a masonry cleaner, it removes mortar lines and deposits in brick, stonework, terra cotta work or plaster work. Another use for sodium citrate salt is as an anti-caking agent for foods such as cereals, bread crumbs, snack foods and spices. In beer brewing, it acts as a fining agent to remove haze from beer and also inhibits bacterial growth in wine. It has also been used by counterfeiters to fake gold bullion bars.

Other benefits include anticoagulant, astringent, cell membrane stabilizer and chelating agent. The uses of sodium citrate are many. It can be taken orally to manage diabetes and reduce cholesterol. Along with other medicines, it helps with ulcers by making mucus more viscous, so it doesn't stick to tissues as easily. Although these fields of work seem unrelated, all have one thing in common: they all depend on being dissolved before being able to dissolve food particles or alter blood clotting.