Comparing E331 - Sodium citrates vs E333 - Calcium citrates
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Popular questions
What is e331 in food?
E331 is sodium citrates—the mono-, di-, and trisodium salts of citric acid—used mainly as acidity regulators/buffers, sequestrants, and emulsifying salts in foods like soft drinks and processed cheese.
How are sodium citrates used in molecular gastronomy?
They’re used to adjust and buffer pH, chelate calcium, and act as an emulsifying salt—commonly to make ultra-smooth, meltable cheese sauces and to tune acidity/calcium levels for techniques like spherification and stabilizing foams.
What are sodium citrates degradation byproducts?
Under normal food use they’re stable; with strong heating/combustion they decompose to carbon oxides (CO2/CO) and sodium oxides (and related inorganic residues).
Why does sodium citrates burn?
It isn’t flammable; any “burning” sensation typically comes from irritation of skin, eyes, or mouth at high concentrations due to its mildly alkaline, saline nature, and on heating it decomposes rather than sustaining a flame.
Does calcium citrate cause constipation?
At the small amounts used in foods (E333), it’s unlikely to cause constipation; at supplement doses, some people may experience it, but calcium citrate is generally less constipating than calcium carbonate.
Which is better for osteoporosis calcium citrate or carbonate?
Both can help if total calcium and vitamin D intake are adequate; calcium citrate is better absorbed (especially with low stomach acid) and gentler on the gut, while carbonate has more elemental calcium per tablet, costs less, but is more likely to cause constipation and should be taken with food.
Is calcium citrate the same as calcium?
No—calcium citrate is the calcium salt of citric acid (E333) that supplies calcium; “calcium” refers to the elemental mineral itself.
What is the difference between calcium and calcium citrate?
Calcium is the elemental nutrient, whereas calcium citrate is a compound that delivers calcium bound to citrate (about 21–24% calcium by weight) and is used as a food additive (E333) and in supplements; the citrate form is more soluble and well absorbed.
Can calcium citrate cause constipation?
At food-use levels it’s unlikely; at supplement doses it can in some people, though it tends to cause less constipation than calcium carbonate.