Description
Trisodium Citrate Dihydrate 99% (E331)
Trisodium Citrate Dihydrate 99% (E331) (CAS 6132-04-3, molecular formula C6H5Na3O7·2H2O) is a food-grade ingredient supplied to a published specification for food, beverage and nutrition manufacture, with traceability from batch through to certificate. China Chemicals supplies it at 99.0 – 100.5% in pack sizes from 1 kg through to 1000 kg Bulk Bag, so laboratory trial quantities and full production volumes can be sourced from the same specification.
It is also traded as E331, Sodium Citrate, Citrosodine. Every consignment ships with a batch-specific Certificate of Analysis and the current Safety Data Sheet, and material is stored and picked under stock rotation so you receive product well inside its shelf life.
Typical applications
- Buffering and pH control in beverages and dairy
- Emulsifying salt in processed cheese manufacture
- Anticoagulant in blood collection at pharma grade
- Sequestrant in detergent and cleaning formulation
- Flavour modifier in confectionery and jams
Technical specification
| Chemical name | Trisodium Citrate Dihydrate 99% (E331) |
|---|---|
| Synonyms | E331, Sodium Citrate, Citrosodine |
| CAS number | 6132-04-3 |
| Molecular formula | C6H5Na3O7·2H2O |
| Appearance | White crystalline granules |
| Assay (dry basis) | 99.0 – 100.5% |
| Water content | 11.0 – 13.0% |
| pH (5% solution) | 7.5 – 9.0 |
| Chloride | 0.005% max |
| Heavy metals as Pb | 5 ppm max |
| Standard | USP / FCC / E331 |
Values above are typical and are confirmed on the Certificate of Analysis issued against each batch. Tighter specifications can be quoted where a process requires them.
Packaging and supply
Available in 1 kg, 5 kg, 25 kg Bag, 1000 kg Bulk Bag. Bulk, road tanker and export drum quantities are quoted on request, including FOB and CIF terms for international shipment. Pricing shown is per pack in USD, exclusive of freight and any applicable duties.
Handling and safety
Transport classification: Not regulated · Not classified as hazardous. Store in the original closed container in a cool, well-ventilated area away from incompatible materials, and handle using appropriate personal protective equipment. Read the Safety Data Sheet in full before use — it is issued with every order and is available on request before purchase.
Supply to industry only. Products are sold for legitimate industrial, laboratory and manufacturing use. We may request end-use details and business registration before releasing an order.
What Is Trisodium Citrate Dihydrate?
Trisodium citrate dihydrate is the fully neutralized sodium salt of citric acid, made by neutralizing citric acid with sodium hydroxide or sodium carbonate and then crystallizing it. The dihydrate form retains two water molecules in its crystal structure, unlike the anhydrous form.
Because it is the fully neutralized salt of a weak acid, trisodium citrate dihydrate is an effective buffer that resists pH change when small amounts of acid or base are added, which is why it is used wherever stable pH matters in a food formulation. It is a white crystalline powder with a solubility of about 65 g per 100 ml at 25°C.
Its Specific Role in Processed Cheese
When processed cheese is made, natural cheese is melted and reformed with emulsifying salts. Without them, fat and protein would separate, giving a greasy, oily result instead of a smooth, sliceable product. Trisodium citrate dihydrate sequesters calcium ions bound to the cheese protein (casein), freeing the protein to bind and emulsify fat as the mixture is heated and reformed. US Federal Standards of Identity permit sodium citrate up to 3.0% in processed cheese, cheese food and cheese spread for this reason. It is often used alongside Disodium Phosphate, another processed-cheese emulsifying salt.
Balancing Flavour, Not Just pH
In soft drinks and other acidic beverages, trisodium citrate dihydrate is often used to soften and balance the sharp sourness that citric acid produces on its own. This is a flavour-engineering role separate from simple buffering, which is why a beverage formulation may list both citric acid and sodium citrate. For a sharper, more persistent tartness instead, compare DL-Malic Acid.
Applications
Trisodium citrate dihydrate is used as an emulsifier in processed cheese and a stabilizer in ice cream, as a buffer and flavour balancer in carbonated and non-carbonated drinks, and for pH buffering in jams, jellies and confectionery. It also chelates trace metal ions, which helps prevent rancidity in dairy products and fats, and is used in meat and fish products for buffering and quality preservation. Separately, it is used as an anticoagulant in blood collection tubes.
Handling & Storage
Trisodium citrate is Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) by the FDA within good manufacturing practice, and is described in major pharmacopeial and food-chemical standards. Confirm the grade and certification you need with us before ordering for any non-food use. Store trisodium citrate dihydrate in a dry, ventilated, clean place away from moisture; typical shelf life is 3–5 years.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does trisodium citrate dihydrate keep processed cheese from becoming greasy?
It sequesters calcium ions bound to cheese protein, freeing the protein to emulsify fat during melting and reforming. Without it, fat and protein separate and the result is oily rather than smooth and sliceable.
Why is it added to soft drinks alongside citric acid?
It softens and balances the sharp sourness that citric acid produces on its own, so the two ingredients do complementary rather than redundant jobs in the flavour profile.
Is trisodium citrate the same as sodium citrate?
"Sodium citrate" can mean any of the three sodium salts of citric acid. Trisodium citrate is the fully neutralized form and is the one most commonly used under the E331 designation.
What is the maximum level allowed in processed cheese?
US Federal Standards of Identity permit sodium citrate up to 3.0% in processed cheese, cheese food and cheese spread.
What packaging and order quantities are available?
We supply trisodium citrate dihydrate from trial quantities through to full bulk orders. Contact us with your required volume for current pricing and lead time.
For further independent reference, see the Wikipedia entry on trisodium citrate, and browse our full Food Additives range.
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