2-hydrox-1,2,3-propanetricarboxylic acid
Colorless odorless translucent crystals or powder. Strongly sour (acid) taste.
Citric acid is used as a food additive to make foods tart, or to adjust the acidity, or to mix with bicarbonates to generate carbon dioxide gas.
It is also used for its anti-oxidant properties, to prevent oils from becoming rancid.
Citric acid is highly astringent, and is used as a skin toner.
It is also used in ice creams to keep the fat globules separate, like the related compound sodium citrate.
citric acid: InChI=1/C6H8O7/c7-3(8)1-6(13,5(11)12)2-4(9)10/h13H,1-2H2,(H,7,8)(H,9,10)(H,11,12)/f/h7,9,11H