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Citric acid is an organic acid naturally occurring in broad applications concerning food and beverages. This organic acid is primarly obtained from citrus fruit like lemons and limes and has many applications in food and beverages, such as flavouring, preservation and pH adjustment.
Additing to flavour and acidity Citric acid is used by the food industry as flavouring agent.
Citric acid imparts a sour, tart taste to both food and drink and is particularly important in candides, soft drinks and fruit juices. It balances sweetness and makes products more pleasing.

In Soft drinks, citric acid combines with other ingredients to create refreshing, well balanced flavours. As a primary constituent of cola and citrus flavoured sodas, its acidity contributes to the sharp, clean taste which is the backbone of refreshingness in a drink. Citric acid also has the function of retaining freshness in long shelf life beverages like bottle juices.

Citric Acid Preservative in Food

Being a preservating for food and beverages, citric acid has a wide application in the food and beverage industry. Citric acid dissuades the proliferation of bacteria and molds, which can spoil food. It lowers the pH such that harmful microorganisms cannot survive. This stretches the shelf life of products.
Citric acid maintains freshness in fruit based products, such as jams, jellies and sauces, by preventing microbial contamination it also play a cruicial role in the preservation of canned and bottled fruits, vegetables and juices.

Uses of Citric Acid:

• It is used as an antioxidant
• It is used as a cleaning agent – as an ingredient in kitchen and bathroom cleaning solution
• It is used as an emulsifying agent in ice creams
• It is used to add a sour taste to soft drinks and other food items
• It used in shampoo
• It is used in sucrose crystallization in caramel
• It is used in food colouring
• It is used as a natural preservative
• It is used to remove the chalky deposit from evaporators, kettles, boilers etc.

Preventing fruits and vegetables from Discoloration

Citric acid is applied extensively in the preservation of fresh cut fruits and vegetables, which inhibit browning and discoloration due to oxidation, fruits such as apples, avocados and bananas turn brown when they react chemically wit air. Citric acid helps prevent this browning effect because it acts as an antioxidant that preserves the freshness of produce for a longer time.