Comparing E260 - Acetic acid vs E331III - Trisodium citrate
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Interest over time for 3 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.
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Popular questions
Is acetic acid a strong acid?
No—acetic acid (E260) is a weak acid in water (pKa ≈ 4.76), though concentrated (glacial) acetic acid is corrosive.
Is vinegar acetic acid?
Vinegar is a solution of acetic acid in water (typically about 4–8% acetic acid by volume), not pure acetic acid.
What is acetic acid used for?
In foods, E260 is used as an acidity regulator, preservative, and flavoring (e.g., pickling, sauces); industrially it’s a precursor to vinyl acetate and cellulose acetate and is used in descaling/cleaning.
Which statement describes the acid found in vinegar acetic acid?
It is a weak organic acid (ethanoic acid, CH3COOH) that gives vinegar its sour taste and antimicrobial effect; food-grade vinegar contains at least about 4% acetic acid by volume.
Is acetic acid polar?
Yes—acetic acid is a polar, hydrogen-bonding (protic) molecule due to its carboxyl group, and it mixes well with water and many polar solvents.
Is trisodium citrate bad for you?
No—trisodium citrate (E331iii) is widely used as a food acidity regulator and is considered safe at typical food levels (JECFA ADI: “not specified”); those on sodium-restricted diets or consuming very large amounts should be mindful of the added sodium and possible mild stomach upset.
What is trisodium citrate dihydrate?
It’s the hydrated crystalline form of trisodium citrate (Na3C6H5O7·2H2O); it functions the same in foods as a buffer/chelating agent, with the water of crystallization only affecting dosing by weight.
What is trisodium citrate used for?
In foods it serves as an acidity regulator/buffer and emulsifying salt (especially in processed cheese), and as a chelator that controls tartness and helps prevent oxidation; it’s also used to stabilize flavors in beverages.
During sample preparation, why must the solutions be buffered with trisodium citrate?
Citrate buffer maintains a controlled pH and chelates multivalent metals, helping prevent precipitation or oxidation and stabilizing analytes during preparation.
Fe during sample preparation, why must the solutions be buffered with trisodium citrate?
For iron analyses, citrate complexes Fe2+/Fe3+ and holds the pH where ferric hydroxide won’t precipitate, reducing losses and interferences from other metals.