How to get citric acid from lemon

info : this text must be human veryfied

How to get citric acid from lemon (3 reactions)

 I. Introduction

Citric acid is a widely used organic acid found in many industries, such as food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. It is a weak acid that has a sour taste and is commonly extracted from citrus fruits like lemons. In this article, we will discuss how to extract citric acid from lemon juice, which is a great source of this acid.

II. Materials Required

To extract citric acid from lemon juice, you will need lemon juice, ethanol (95%), and calcium hydroxide (lime, Ca(OH)2).

III. Reactions Involved

The extraction of citric acid involves three main reactions: neutralization reaction between lemon juice and calcium hydroxide, reaction with ethanol to make ester, and decarboxylation by heating the resulting product.

IV. Steps for Citric Acid Extraction from Lemon Juice

A. Calcium Hydroxide Method

1. Preparing the Reactants - mix lemon juice and calcium hydroxide in a 1:1 ratio.
2. Performing the Neutralization Reaction - stir the mixture until it reaches a pH of 6.0-7.0, and citrate ion precipitate forms.
3. Isolating Citrate Ion Precipitate - filter out the citrate ion precipitate from the mixture.
4. Converting Citrate Ion into Free Citric Acid - dissolve the citrate ion precipitate in hot water and then acidify it with sulfuric acid. Finally, heat the solution to obtain the free citric acid.

B. Esterification Method

1. Mixing Lemon Juice and Ethanol - mix equal amounts of lemon juice and ethanol in a container.
2. Addition of Lime - add calcium hydroxide to the mixture and stir.
3. Separation of Esters - separate the esters from the mixture using a separating funnel.
4. Dehydration by Heating - heat the separated ester to dryness.

V. Result and Analysis

Compare the results obtained from both methods and analyze which one gives a higher yield of citric acid.

VI. Utility

Citric acid has many applications in various industries. In the food industry, it is used as a flavor enhancer, preservative, and acidulant. In the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, it is used as an antioxidant, pH adjuster, and chelating agent.

VII. Conclusion

Extracting citric acid from lemon juice can be done using either the calcium hydroxide method or the esterification method. Both methods have their advantages and disadvantages, and the choice of method will depend on the intended use of the citric acid. Nevertheless, extracting citric acid from lemon juice is a cost-effective and eco-friendly way to obtain this valuable acid.