Zinc Citrate
Minerals & Trace Elements
Nutritional Enhancers
546-46-3
C₆H₈O₇·1.5 Zn (or C₁₂H₁₀O₁₄Zn₃·2H₂O for trihydrate)
$4.21 ~ $6.31
Food
Free sample from 100g(NF)
One unit of:25kg/bag
One unit of:25kg/bag
25kg/bag
Product Info
What is Zinc Citrate?
Zinc Citrate is the zinc salt of citric acid, utilized primarily as a highly bioavailable nutritional supplement to fortify foods and beverages with the essential mineral zinc.
How is Zinc Citrate made?
| Step No. | Production Stage | Key Action | Control Point & Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raw Material Preparation | Dissolve high-purity citric acid in a measured volume of demineralized water within a glass-lined or stainless steel reactor. | Control Point: Water quality and temperature; concentration of the citric acid solution. Note: Ensure complete dissolution of citric acid to facilitate a smooth and uniform reaction. |
| 2 | Reaction & Synthesis | Slowly add a high-purity zinc source (typically Zinc Oxide powder) to the citric acid solution under continuous, vigorous agitation. | Control Point: Rate of addition of the zinc source to manage the exothermic reaction temperature. The pH level is constantly monitored to ensure the reaction progresses to completion. |
| 3 | Purification & Filtration | Filter the resulting reaction slurry to remove any unreacted materials or insoluble impurities. | Control Point: Filter integrity and pore size. Note: This is a primary purification step to ensure the clarity and purity of the final product. |
| 4 | Crystallization | Cool the clear, filtered solution under controlled conditions to induce the precipitation and crystallization of Zinc Citrate. | Control Point: Cooling rate and final temperature. Note: Slow, controlled cooling promotes the formation of larger, more uniform crystals, which are easier to separate and wash. |
| 5 | Separation & Washing | Separate the precipitated Zinc Citrate crystals from the mother liquor using a centrifuge. The resulting crystal "cake" is then washed with demineralized water. | Control Point: Centrifuge speed and duration; volume and purity of wash water. Note: Washing is crucial to remove any remaining soluble impurities from the crystal surface. |
| 6 | Drying | Dry the wet, washed Zinc Citrate cake in a controlled dryer (e.g., vacuum or fluid bed dryer) until the target moisture content is reached. | Control Point: Drying temperature and time. Note: This is a critical step to achieve product stability, prevent microbial growth, and meet the final moisture specification. |
| 7 | Milling & Sieving | Mill the dried Zinc Citrate to a consistent, fine powder. Sieve the powder to ensure it meets the required particle size distribution. | Control Point: Mill settings and sieve mesh size. Note: This step ensures the final product has good flowability and meets customer physical requirements. Magnetic separators may be used to remove metal contaminants. |
| 8 | Final Quality Control & Packaging | Sample and test the final powder against all specifications. Package the approved product into sealed, clean, food-grade containers. | Control Point: Final analysis for zinc content (assay), purity, heavy metals (Pb, As, Cd), and microbiological limits. Note: Proper packaging is essential to protect the product from moisture and contamination during storage and transport. |
Technical Specifications
| CAS Number | 546-46-3 |
| Chemical Formula | C₆H₈O₇·1.5 Zn (or C₁₂H₁₀O₁₄Zn₃·2H₂O for trihydrate) |
| Solubility | slightly soluble in water; soluble in dilute acids and alkali |
| Storage Conditions | store in a cool, dry, light‑protected area |
| Shelf Life | 36 Months |
Applications & Usage
Common Applications:
used in dietary supplements
fortified foods
oral care products (toothpaste/mouthwash)
Mechanism of action:
| Parameter | Zinc Citrate |
|---|---|
| Functional Category | Nutrient Fortificant; Flavor Enhancer; Sequestrant |
| Key Ingredients | Zinc Citrate (Zinc salt of citric acid) |
| Mechanism of Action | Provides a bioavailable source of elemental zinc, an essential cofactor for numerous enzymatic reactions vital for immune function, protein synthesis, and metabolism. The citrate anion can chelate pro-oxidant metal ions, preventing catalytic degradation of fats and vitamins. Contributes a mild, clean tartness. |
| Application Effect in Product | Enriches foods and beverages like cereals, dairy alternatives, and nutritional supplements with dietary zinc. Helps mask metallic or bitter off-notes from other ingredients. Can improve shelf life and flavor stability by sequestering trace metals. Used in dental products to inhibit plaque and calculus formation. |
Comparison:
| Product Name | Category/Type | Key Features | Strengths (vs peers) | Weaknesses (vs peers) | Best Use Cases | Why Choose |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zinc Citrate | Chelated Zinc Salt (Organic Acid) | Zinc bound to citric acid. Well-absorbed form. | Good bioavailability, often better tasting and more cost-effective than other chelated forms like picolinate. | Absorption may be slightly lower than picolinate or glycinate; can still cause stomach upset in sensitive individuals. | General daily supplementation for immune, skin, and hormonal health. | A balanced choice offering good absorption and value without the harshness of inorganic salts. |
| Zinc Gluconate | Chelated Zinc Salt (Organic Acid) | Zinc bound to gluconic acid. Very common and widely studied. | Widely available, cost-effective, and proven effective, especially in cold lozenges. | Can have a noticeable metallic aftertaste; more likely to cause nausea than glycinate on an empty stomach. | Short-term immune support (especially colds), general-purpose supplementation. | For a readily available, well-researched, and affordable option. |
| Zinc Picolinate | Amino Acid Chelate | Zinc bound to picolinic acid, a natural chelator in the body. | Considered to have one of the highest absorption and bioavailability rates. | Typically the most expensive form per milligram of elemental zinc. | Addressing significant deficiencies or for individuals with known malabsorption issues. | When maximizing absorption is the primary goal and cost is not a major factor. |
| Zinc Glycinate (or Bisglycinate) | Amino Acid Chelate | Zinc bound to the amino acid glycine. | High bioavailability and exceptionally gentle on the stomach, minimizing digestive side effects. | Often more expensive than citrate and gluconate. | Long-term supplementation, especially for individuals with sensitive stomachs. | For a highly absorbed form that prioritizes digestive comfort and tolerability. |
| Zinc Sulfate | Inorganic Zinc Salt | A water-soluble, inorganic form of zinc. | Very inexpensive and has been used in numerous clinical studies. | Lower bioavailability and significantly more likely to cause stomach irritation and nausea. | Prescription or clinical use for severe deficiency; some topical acne treatments. | Under medical guidance for a specific condition or when cost is the absolute primary constraint. |
| Zinc Oxide | Inorganic Zinc Compound | Insoluble inorganic form of zinc. Common in sunscreens. | Extremely low cost and shelf-stable. | Poorly absorbed by the body compared to all other common forms; not ideal for supplementation. | Primarily used topically (sunscreens, ointments) rather than for oral supplementation. | Not recommended for oral use to correct a deficiency; choose another form for supplementation. |
Technical Documents
Available Documentation
COA and monographs available
Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
MSDS available
Certificate of Analysis (COA)
Quality assurance documentation
Technical Data Sheet
Detailed technical specifications