CITRIC ACID Meaning and
Definition
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Citric acid is a naturally occurring compound found in various fruits, especially citrus fruits such as lemons, oranges, and grapefruits. It is a weak organic acid with the chemical formula C6H8O7 and belongs to the alpha-hydroxy acid family.
In a dictionary context, citric acid can be defined as a crystalline substance that appears as a white powder and has a sour taste, similar to the taste of lemons. It is widely used as a food additive and preservative due to its acidic properties, antioxidant qualities, and ability to enhance flavors. It serves as an important ingredient in many food and beverage products, including carbonated drinks, jams, jellies, frozen foods, and sweets.
Beyond its applications in the culinary realm, citric acid is also utilized in various industries. For instance, it plays a vital role in pharmaceutical formulations, cosmetic products, and even in the cleaning industry as a chelating agent to remove metal ions. Moreover, it possesses certain properties that make it suitable for household cleaning purposes, such as descaling and removing rust stains.
Citric acid is generally considered safe when consumed in appropriate amounts, as it occurs naturally in many fruits and has a low level of toxicity. However, excessive intake may lead to digestive issues or dental problems due to its acidic nature.
In conclusion, citric acid is a versatile and widely-used compound that is naturally found in citrus fruits and has various applications in the food, pharmaceutical, and cleaning industries.
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A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
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An acid extracted from the juice of these.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for CITRIC ACID
- xitric acid
- vitric acid
- fitric acid
- ditric acid
- cutric acid
- cjtric acid
- cktric acid
- cotric acid
- c9tric acid
- c8tric acid
- cirric acid
- cifric acid
- cigric acid
- ciyric acid
- ci6ric acid
- ci5ric acid
- citeic acid
- citdic acid
- citfic acid
Etymology of CITRIC ACID
The word "citric" in "citric acid" is derived from "citrus". "Citrus" refers to a genus of flowering trees and shrubs in the rue family, Rutaceae, which includes fruits such as lemons, oranges, and grapefruits. The name "citrus" itself comes from the Latin word "citrus", which means "citron tree" or "cedrat tree".
The word "acid" in "citric acid" comes from the Latin word "acidus", which means "sour". The term "acid", in chemistry, refers to a substance with a pH value lower than 7, which has a sour taste and the ability to react with bases, among other chemical properties.
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