Calcium Citrate, Tricalcium Citrate, Tricalcium Citrate Tetrahydrate, Calcium Citrate Anhydrous, Calcium Citrate Malate, Lime Citrate, TCC, E333 813-94-5, 5785-44-4

Calcium Citrate, Tricalcium Citrate, Tricalcium Citrate Tetrahydrate, Calcium Citrate Anhydrous, Calcium Citrate Malate, Lime Citrate, TCC, E333 813-94-5, 5785-44-4

General Information

• Molecular Formula: C12H10Ca3O14 or (C6H5O7)2Ca3·4H2O

• Molecular Weight: 498.4 g/mol

• Chemical Name: Calcium Citrate

• CAS Numbers: 813-94-5 (anhydrous), 5785-44-4 (tetrahydrate)

• Other Names: TCC, Tribasic Calcium Citrate, Calcium Citrate Malate, Lime Citrate, Calcium Citrate Anhydrous, Tricalcium Disodium Citrate, etc.

Physical & Chemical Properties

• Appearance: White powder, fine crystals, or very fine salt form

• Taste: Sour

• Odor: Odorless

• Density: 1.63 g/cm³

• Melting Point: 120 °C

• Stability: Stable under normal conditions, but incompatible with strong oxidizers (KMnO4, NaOCl, H2O2)

• Solubility: Poorly soluble in water (~1 g/L). Solubility increases in acidic solutions (orange juice, lemon juice).

• Thermal Behavior: Loses water at 100–120 °C

Biological & Nutritional Features

• Calcium is the most abundant element in the human body.

• Tricalcium Citrate is the most widely used organic calcium salt.

• Bioavailability: About 2.5 times higher than calcium carbonate.

• Advantages over Calcium Carbonate:

  • Does not neutralize stomach acid → easier digestion

  • Does not cause gas or constipation

  • Lower risk of kidney stone formation

Medical Applications

• Treatment of hypocalcemia (low calcium in blood)

• Used in osteoporosis and osteomalacia (weak bones)

• Treatment of diseases caused by reduced parathyroid activity

• Acts as a chemopreventive agent in some cancer therapies

• Infant formulas as calcium supplement

• Ingredient in medicines for muscle and skeletal disorders

Food & Industrial Uses

• Food additive: sour flavor, preservative, acidity regulator

• Used in beverages, jams, confectionery, flour products

• Meat products & sauces: sour taste and binding properties

• Animal feed: calcium supplement

• Fermentation tablets: binder and stabilizer

• Water softener

Cosmetic & Toothpaste Applications

• Used as abrasive and opacifier in toothpaste

• Provides whitening effect similar to TiO2 but with finer particle size

• Safe for gums and oral tissues

Key Highlights

• Best absorption rate among calcium salts → preferred choice

• Particle size range: 10–300 microns (smaller particles = higher solubility)

• Wide usage spectrum: medicine, food, cosmetics, feed, industry