What is the Difference Between Citric Acid and Ascorbic Acid?

Citric acid and ascorbic acid are two different substances found in various fruits and vegetables. They share some similarities but also have fundamental differences:

• Ascorbic acid is another name for vitamin C, which is essential for the human body and has various health benefits, such as preventing diseases and repairing connective tissue. Some fruits, like lemons, contain both citric acid and vitamin C.
• Citric acid is an acidic antioxidant that is not considered one of the recommended vitamins and minerals needed daily. It has not been linked to disease prevention or connective tissue repair like ascorbic acid. Citric acid has many commercial uses, including cleaning products, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.
• Acidity: Citric acid is more acidic than ascorbic acid. Therefore, citric acid is recommended when canning tomatoes to lower the pH or increase acidity. Ascorbic acid is not as acidic as citric acid and is better at protecting color changes in certain foods like apples, peaches, and pears.

In summary, while both citric acid and ascorbic acid can be found in some of the same fruits and vegetables, they are not the same. Ascorbic acid is vitamin C, essential for the human body, while citric acid is an acidic antioxidant with various commercial uses.

Comparative Table: Citric Acid vs Ascorbic Acid

Here is a table comparing the differences between citric acid and ascorbic acid:

Citric acid is an organic acid found in citrus fruits, while ascorbic acid is another name for vitamin C and a naturally occurring organic acid. Although they share some similarities, such as being found in citrus fruits and having weak acidic properties, they have distinct differences in their chemical structures, properties, and functions.