It occurs in free state in all the fruits of citrus family, e.g. lemon, lime, orange and galgal. It is manufactured from molasses by the mould Citromyces pfeffarianus or Aspergillus niger.
It is used in preparing acidulated soft drinks, jams, jellies, candies etc. Magnesium citrate is used as an antacid. Its esters (e.g. tributyl citrate) are used as solvents in plastic industry. Sodium citrate is used in preparing Benedict solution used for the detection and estimation of aldehydic group and carbohydrates.
