What is citric acid used for?

Other uses. Citric acid is used as an odorless alternative to white vinegar for home dyeing with acid dyes. Sodium citrate is a component of Benedict's reagent, used for identification both qualitatively and quantitatively, of reducing sugars. Citric acid can be used as an alternative to nitric acid in passivation of stainless steel. read more

Although citric acid is found in high concentrations in many citrus fruits, it is not economical to extract the acid from fruit for industrial use. Plus, the demand for citric acid far outweighs the supply of citrus fruit available. read more

Citric acid is an organic acid that is a component of all aerobic living organisms—most abundantly, and not surprisingly, in citrus fruit. This weak acid has been used as an additive in processed foods for more than 100 years as a preservative, a sour flavoring, or an emulsifying agent. read more