Monosodium Citrate Anhydrous Powder: Properties, Benefits and Applications

Monosodium citrate anhydrous powder is a functional citrate salt used as a buffering agent, taste modifier, and pH regulator across food, pharmaceutical, and technical applications. By combining the buffering functionality of citric acid with a sodium component, it enables controlled acidity management without the sharp sensory impact of free acids.

At Citribel, monosodium citrate anhydrous is produced via surface fermentation using upcycled carbon sources, ensuring consistent quality, reliable European supply, and full traceability.

What is monosodium citrate powder?

Monosodium citrate anhydrous is the monosodium salt of citric acid. In powder form, it appears as a white to colourless crystalline material, practically odourless, with a slightly acidic taste.

Compared to citric acid, monosodium citrate shows lower intrinsic acidity, while offering effective buffering capacity, particularly when used in combination with free acids. This makes it well suited for formulations where pH stability, flavour balance, and controlled acid release are required.

Key Functional Properties of Monosodium Citrate Anhydrous Powder

1. Controlled Buffering Capacity

Monosodium citrate provides effective buffering in low to moderately acidic systems, helping to stabilise pH over time and across processing conditions. This supports consistent product performance and formulation robustness.

2. Mild Taste Modulation

The sodium component contributes to a softer, less aggressive acidic profile compared to citric acid. This allows formulators to fine-tune flavour perception without introducing sharp or overpowering sour notes.

3. Fast and Predictable Dissolution

The anhydrous powder grade offers high solubility in water, enabling rapid dissolution and uniform distribution in both dry blends and aqueous systems, even at low inclusion levels.

4. Reliable Processability

The free-flowing powder supports predictable material behaviour during handling, dosing, and blending. This improves control in automated processing systems and reduces variability in finished products.

Applications Across Key Industries

Food and Beverage

Monosodium citrate anhydrous powder is commonly used in food and beverage formulations for:

Buffering and pH control in soft drinks and flavoured beverages
Taste rounding in powdered mixes and instant products
pH regulation in jellies, confectionery, and sugar-based systems

The powder form allows uniform blending in dry formulations where rapid dissolution and consistent sensory performance are required.

Pharmaceuticals and Nutraceuticals

In pharmaceutical and nutraceutical formulations, monosodium citrate anhydrous plays an important role as:

A buffer component in effervescent tablets remembering
A pH stabiliser in solid and liquid preparations

The controlled buffering action supports formulation stability and reproducibility.

Technical and Industrial Applications

In technical formulations, monosodium citrate anhydrous powder is applied as:

A functional citrate salt where controlled acidity is required
An alternative to stronger acids in sensitive or pH-critical matrices

Its predictable buffering behaviour supports stable performance across a wide range of processing conditions.

Monosodium Citrate Anhydrous Powder from Citribel

Citribel manufactures monosodium citrate anhydrous powder in Europe under controlled production conditions. The product is supplied with:

Consistent particle size distribution (powder grade)
High chemical purity
Reliable batch-to-batch performance
Full technical documentation (PDS, COA, MSDS)

Available form

Powder – suitable for dry blends and rapid dissolution

Storage and Handling Considerations

Monosodium citrate anhydrous powder should be stored in its original, closed packaging under moderate temperature and relative humidity. Due to its hygroscopic nature, the product may show a tendency to compaction. Appropriate handling practices, including limited pallet stacking and low inventory turnover, are recommended to minimise lump formation and maintain optimal flow properties. Under recommended storage conditions, the product is chemically stable for several years.

Why Choose Citribel?

European manufacturing with a reliable supply chain
Use of upcycled raw materials
Strong expertise in citric acid and citrate derivatives
Technical support for R&D and formulation teams
Consistent quality for regulated markets

Citribel positions monosodium citrate anhydrous powder not as a commodity, but as a functional ingredient with reproducible performance in demanding applications.

Frequently Asked Questions about Monosodium Citrate Anhydrous Powder

What is monosodium citrate anhydrous powder?

Monosodium citrate anhydrous powder is the monosodium salt of citric acid, supplied in a water-free (anhydrous) crystalline powder form. It is used primarily as a buffering agent, pH regulator, and taste modifier in food, pharmaceutical, and technical formulations.

How does monosodium citrate differ from citric acid?

Citric acid is a free acid with strong acidifying properties, while monosodium citrate is a citrate salt with lower intrinsic acidity. Monosodium citrate provides buffering capacity and milder taste impact, making it suitable for formulations where pH stability and flavour balance are required rather than strong acidification.

Why use monosodium citrate instead of citric acid in formulations?

Monosodium citrate is typically selected when:

Controlled pH buffering is needed
A softer, less sharp acidic taste is preferred
Stable pH over time is required
Citric acid alone would be too aggressive

In many systems, monosodium citrate is used in combination with citric acid to fine-tune pH and sensory performance.

Is monosodium citrate anhydrous powder highly soluble?

Yes. Monosodium citrate anhydrous powder is freely soluble in water, enabling rapid dissolution and uniform distribution in both dry blends and aqueous formulations.

Which industries commonly use monosodium citrate anhydrous powder?

Typical application areas include:

Food and beverage (buffers, taste modulation, pH control)
Pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals (e.g. effervescent formulations)
Technical and industrial formulations requiring controlled acidity

Is monosodium citrate suitable for pharmaceutical use?

Monosodium citrate anhydrous powder is widely used as a buffer component in pharmaceutical formulations such as effervescent tablets and oral preparations.
It is not intended for the manufacture of sterile drug products.

What are the key handling considerations?

Due to its hygroscopic nature, monosodium citrate anhydrous powder may show a tendency to compaction. Proper storage under controlled temperature and humidity, limited pallet stacking, and appropriate inventory management are recommended to maintain flowability.

Is monosodium citrate anhydrous chemically stable?

yes. Under recommended storage conditions, monosodium citrate anhydrous powder is chemically stable for several years, with no significant degradation.

What quality and documentation can be expected?

Commercial monosodium citrate anhydrous powder is typically supplied with:

Product Data Sheet (PDS)
Certificate of Analysis (COA)
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)

This supports use in regulated and quality-sensitive applications.

Want to Know More About Monosodium Citrate Anhydrous Powder?

If you would like to assess whether monosodium citrate anhydrous powder is suitable for your formulation, or if you need support with specifications, particle size, or application guidance, please contact the Citribel team for technical documentation and formulation support.