Citric acid is a weak organic acid. It is a natural preservative and is also used to add an acidic, or sour, taste to foods and soft drinks. In biochemistry, it is important as an intermediate in the citric acid cycle and therefore occurs in the metabolism of virtually all living things. It can also be used as an environmentally benign cleaning agent.

Citric acid (CA) citric acid anhydrous, also known as citrate, with the molecular form C₆H₈O₇, is an important organic acid. It is a colorless crystal, odorless, strongly acidic, easily soluble in water, an acidity regulator (GB2760 -- 2014) and a food additive.