Trimagnesium Citrate
General information
Trimagnesium Citrates are produced by complete neutralisation of citric acid with a high purity magnesium source, subsequent precipitation and dehydration. The two commonly available forms are trimagnesium citrate anhydrous and trimagnesium citrate nonahydrate. In some countries such as USA, trimagnesium citrate is simply denominated magnesium citrate.
Trimagnesium citrate is mainly used as mineral source in food supplements, foods for particular nutritional purposes, and pharmaceutical preparations. Comparable to other magnesium salts, it shows a laxative effect at higher dosage levels.
An agglomerated trimagnesium citrate anhydrous is available for direct compression of tablets. Being an excellent desiccant, it is commonly used to stabilise dry blends and to protect water sensitive ingredients.
Magnesium citrates are organic mineral sources and are preferred in many applications to inorganic sources because of their superior bioavailability and physiological compatibility.
Trimagnesium citrate anhydrous has the highest magnesium content (16%) among the organic magnesium sources commonly used, the magnesium content of the nonahydrate is 12%.
Trimagnesium citrate is supplied as a white to almost white powder. It is practically odourless, soluble in water, freely soluble in diluted acid and practically insoluble in ethanol (96%). Generally, hydrated forms of trimagnesium citrates are less soluble than the anhydrous type.
Specification
Trimagnesium citrate meets the requirements of the US Pharmacopeia (USP) and/or the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph.Eur.) always in their latest versions.
The following granulation types are available:
- Powder
- TMC GN
Trimagnesium citrate anhydrous or nonahydrate is supplied in polyethylene lined paper bags with 20 or 25 kg net weight.
Properties
- White powder or granules
- Typical, practically odourless
- Excellend solubility properties
- Available in anhydrous or in nonahydrate form
- Neutral taste
- High mineral content (16% for anhydrous and 12% for nonahydrate)
- High bioavailability
- Allergen and GMO free
Main functions
- Magnesium source for pharmaceuticals, food supplements and dietetic foods and beverages
- Desiccant (anhydrous type)
Applications
Industrial Applications
- Agrochemicals, Fertilisers
- Fire protection
Food
- Baby Food, Infant Formula
- Bakery
- Cereals, Snacks
- Confectionery
- Dairy
- Dairy Alternatives
- Desserts, Ice Cream
- Fruit Preparations, Sweet Spreads
- Meat Alternatives
- Plant-based Products
- Fire protection
Beverages
- Carbonated Soft Drinks
- Instant Drinks, Syrups
- Juice Drinks
- Plant-based
- Sports and Energy Drinks
- Waters
- Fire protection
Healthcare
- Clinical Nutrition
- OTC, Food Supplements
- Pharmaceutical Products
- Fire protection
Pharma
- Desiccant
- Mineral source
- Fire protection
Feed & Pet Food
- Feed
- Pet Food
- Fire protection
Personal Care
- Hair Care
- Skin Care
- Soap and Bath Products
- Fire protection
Legal aspects
In Europe, magnesium salts of citric acid are allowed in food supplements (Directive 2002/46/EC) and are listed as mineral salts in the EU Regulation (EC) No. 609/2013 on food intended for infants and young children, food for special medical purposes, and total diet replacement for weight control. In addition to existing national allowances in some countries, trimagnesium citrates are on the positive list of the EU Regulation (EC) No. 1925/2006 on food fortification.
In the US, magnesium citrates can be added to dietary supplements as "dietary ingredients” or pharmaceuticals. Since 2006, Jungbunzlauer trimagnesium citrates are “generally recognised as safe” (self-affirmed GRAS) in full compliance with the US Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.
