Trietil sitrat

Detailed information

What it is & how it is made

Triethyl citrate is the triethyl ester of citric acid. The EU specification gives its chemical name as triethyl-2-hydroxypropan-1,2,3-tricarboxylate, its formula as C12H20O7 and its content as not less than 99 percent; it is an odourless, practically colourless, oily liquid. The 'Definition' field of the specification is left blank, meaning the legislation does not describe the raw material or the manufacturing method (Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012, E 1505).

Where it is used

It is used as a carrier and solvent. Under Annex III to EU Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 it is authorised as a carrier for flavourings, and the amount from all sources in food as consumed is limited to a maximum of 3,000 mg/kg in combination with E 1517 and E 1518. Its JECFA functional classes are flavouring agent, carrier solvent and sequestrant. Improving the whipping properties of egg white is among its known uses.

Health note

JECFA set an acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 0-20 mg/kg body weight for triethyl citrate in 1984 and maintained that value at its 53rd meeting (1999), reporting no safety concern at current levels of intake when used as a flavouring agent. No published EFSA re-evaluation opinion could be found for E 1505.

Halal assessment

Its structure rests on the esterification of citric acid with ethyl alcohol; the EU specification defines neither the manufacturing method nor the raw material. The ethyl groups in the structure are in esterified form and the substance itself is not an alcoholic drink; however, since the origin of the ethanol used in production and the process are not stated in the legislation, it should be treated as source dependent. Consult the manufacturer's halal certificate for a definitive answer.