Sodium citrate explained

Sodium citrate may refer to any of the sodium salts of citric acid (though most commonly the third):

• Monosodium citrate
• Disodium citrate
• Trisodium citrate

The three forms of salt are collectively known by the E number E331.

Applications

Food

Sodium citrates are used as acidity regulators in food and drinks, and also as emulsifiers for oils. They enable cheeses to melt without becoming greasy. It reduces the acidity of food as well. It is generally considered safe and is considered GRAS by the FDA. ^[1]

Blood clotting inhibitor

Sodium citrate is used to prevent donated blood from clotting in storage. It is also used in a laboratory, before an operation, to determine whether a person's blood is too thick and might cause a blood clot, or if the blood is too thin to safely operate. Sodium citrate is used in medical contexts as an alkalinizing agent in place of sodium bicarbonate,^[2] to neutralize excess acid in the blood and urine.^[3]

Metabolic acidosis

It has applications for the treatment of metabolic acidosis^[4] and chronic kidney disease.^[5]

Ferrous nanoparticles

Along with oleic acid, sodium citrate may be used in the synthesis of magnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticle coatings.^[6]

Notes and References

1. Web site: FDA: GRAS.
2. Web site: 2019-06-07. dRTA: How is it Treated?. 2021-08-02. National Kidney Foundation. en-US.
3. Web site: PubChem. Sodium citrate. 2021-08-02. pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. en.
4. Chen. Wei. Abramowitz. Matthew K.. February 2014. Treatment of Metabolic Acidosis in Patients With CKD. American Journal of Kidney Diseases . 63. 2. 311–317. 10.1053/j.ajkd.2013.06.017. 0272-6386. 3946919. 23932089.
5. Goraya. Nimrit. Wesson. Donald E.. May 2019. Clinical evidence that treatment of metabolic acidosis slows the progression of chronic kidney disease. Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension. 28. 3. 267–277. 10.1097/MNH.0000000000000491. 1062-4821. 6467553. 30681417.
6. Wei . Yan . Han . Bing . Hu . Xiaoyang . Lin . Yuanhua . Wang . Xinzhi . Deng . Xuliang . 2012 . Synthesis of Fe3O4 Nanoparticles and their Magnetic Properties . Procedia Engineering . en . 27 . 632–637 . 10.1016/j.proeng.2011.12.498. free . 2001.06583 .