Sodium citrate is a common organic compound commonly used as a food additive, which is a salt made from citric acid combined with sodium ions. Sodium citrate is mainly used in the food industry as a buffer, acidity regulator, stabilizer or preservative.

Uses of Sodium citrate 

1. Food industry: Sodium citrate is used as a buffer, acidity regulator, stabilizer and preservative in the food industry. It can increase the shelf life of food, improve the taste, and prevent food from spoiling. For example, it is commonly used in soft drinks, confectionery, pastries, breads, sauces, and pickled foods.

2. Pharmaceutical field: Sodium citrate is used as a buffer for injections in the pharmaceutical field, as well as as as a stabilizer in the preparation of certain drugs. It is also used for anticoagulant treatment of blood, such as hemodialysis and blood grouping.

3. Detergents and detergents: Sodium citrate as a washing aid, can soften hard water, improve the cleaning effect, and reduce the amount of detergent used. It is also used to make toilet cleaners and descalers.

4. Personal care products: In personal care products such as toothpaste, shampoo, and body wash, sodium citrate can act as a buffer and stabilizer to help regulate the pH of the product.

5. Paper industry: Sodium citrate can be used as an additive for pulp to help remove impurities in pulp and improve the quality of paper.

6. Metallurgical industry: Sodium citrate is used in the metallurgical industry as a cleaner and corrosion inhibitor for metal surfaces, as well as as part of the electrolyte in the electrolytic refining process of some metals.

7. Textile industry: In the dyeing and finishing process of textiles, sodium citrate can be used as an additive to help improve the uniformity and stability of dyeing.

8. Petroleum industry: Sodium citrate can be used as a component of oilfield drilling fluids to help control the pH of drilling fluids and improve drilling efficiency.

9. Agriculture: Sodium citrate can be used as a plant nutrient, providing trace elements needed by plants to promote plant growth.