Zinc Citrate

Introduction

Zinc citrate is available as dihydrate and trihydrate and is produced by complete neutralisation of citric acid with a high purity zinc source, subsequent precipitation and dehydration.

Zinc citrate is mainly used in oral care products such as toothpastes, mouthwashes and chewing gums due to its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects and its ability to reduce or inhibit the formation of dental plaque and tartar. In pharmaceuticals, zinc citrate fights common colds. Zinc is increasingly used in food supplements, functional foods and beverages.

As an organic mineral source, it is preferred in many applications over inorganic sources because of its superior bioavailability, physiological compatibility and nearly neutral taste compared to other zinc salts.

Among the organic zinc salts zinc citrate has one of the highest zinc contents (31%).

Zinc citrate is supplied as a white to almost white powder. It is practically odourless, slightly soluble in water, soluble in diluted acid and practically insoluble in ethanol (96%). Zinc citrate has an inverse solubility.

Functions

This ingredient offers you the following excellent functions.

• Anti-malodour (oral care)​
• Anti-plaque (oral care)​
• Anti-tartar (oral care)​
• Bioavailability/improved mineral absorption​
• Buffering agent
• Chelation​
• Deodorising​
• Mineral fortification​
• Reduction of tooth demineralisation (oral care)​

Specifications

Zinc citrate trihydrate is specified according to food, pharmaceutical and oral care grade.

Zinc citrate dihydrate is specified according to the latest edition of the USP.

The following granulation types are available:

• Zinc citrate trihydrate: Powder
• Zinc citrate dihydrate: Powder

Zinc citrate is supplied in polyethylene lined paper bags with 25kg net weight.

Legal aspects

In Europe, zinc salts of citric acid are on the positive list of Regulation (EC) No. 1925/2006 on food fortification. They are also listed in Directive 2002/46/EC of the European Parliament and the Council relating to food supplements as vitamins and mineral substances which may be used in the manufacture of food supplements. Furthermore, it is listed as mineral salt 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 the US, zinc citrate can be considered as substance classified as dietary ingredients according to FDC Act., § 201 (ff). In oral care products zinc citrate is classified as Class I active ingredient with respect to safety and a Class III active ingredient with respect to efficacy.

Jungbunzlauer zinc citrate is self-affirmed Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) in full compliance with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). According to self-affirmed GRAS assessment zinc citrate can be used for fortification of food (up to 100% of reference daily intake) and in dietary supplements (up to 15mg of zinc).