CITROFOL® AI Triethyl Citrate

Introduction

CITROFOL® AI (triethyl citrate) is a 100% bio-based citrate ester that is manufactured by the esterification of citric acid and ethanol. In the food industry, it is used as flavour and flavour carrier and is also permitted as a processing aid to whip dried egg white products. In the personal care industry CITROFOL® AI is used as solvent, diluent and fixative in perfumes and fragrances. It is well accepted as functional ingredient in deodorants as it inhibits the enzymatic decomposition of sweat components. CITROFOL® AI is a cosmetic raw material approved by ECOCERT GREENLIFE, conform to COSMOS Standard.

In pharmaceutical applications CITROFOL® AI contributes as plasticiser to the performance of enteric coatings for controlled-release tablets. CITROFOL® AI is also used as plasticiser in other applications like biopolymers. As tank-mix adjuvant and carrier fluid for microbial biocontrol CITROFOL® AI is of relevance for the agricultural sector.

Functions

This ingredient offers you the following excellent functions.

• Deodorising​
• Emollient
• Film-forming
• Fixative​
• Plasticiser
• Plasticising​
• Solvent (e.g. for UV filter)​

Specifications

For CITROFOL® AI different specifications are available depending on the intended use, e.g. Food Chemical Codex (FCC), Regulation (EU) No 231/2012, United States Pharmacopeia (USP) or European Pharmacopeia (Ph. Eur.).

It is supplied in intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) with 1000kg net weight, in drums with 225kg net weight and in small drums with 25kg net content. Other packaging is possible upon request.

Depending on the intended use different specifications are available, e.g. for technical, food, personal care or pharmaceutical applications. Specifications are available upon request.

Legal aspects

According to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 triethyl citrate is authorised as food additive E 1505 and according to Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008 as flavouring FL No 09.512. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has affirmed triethyl citrate as GRAS (generally recognized as safe) and permitted the use in food according to current GMP (21 CFR § 184.1911).

In Europe, Jungbunzlauer CITROFOL® AI Extra is compliant with Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on cosmetic products as well as Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/1410 amending Annexes II and III to Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 and Commission Regulation (EU) 2019/831 amending Annexes II, III and V to Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009.

In the United States, there are no legal restrictions to use triethyl citrate in personal care products.

In Europe, triethyl citrate is listed in ANNEX I of Commission Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 on plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with food.

Jungbunzlauer CITROFOL® AI is EU REACH registered.