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Chemical Properties

white crystals

Uses

L-(+)-Tartaric Acid is a naturally occurring chemical compound found in berries, grapes and various wines. It provides antioxidant properties and contributes to the sour taste within these products.

Definition

ChEBI: A tetraric acid that is butanedioic acid substituted by hydroxy groups at positions 2 and 3.

Production Methods

Tartaric acid occurs naturally in many fruits as the free acid or in combination with calcium, magnesium, and potassium. Commercially, L-(＋)-tartaric acid is manufactured from potassium tartrate (cream of tartar), a by-product of wine making. Potassium tartrate is treated with hydrochloric acid, followed by the addition of a calcium salt to produce insoluble calcium tartrate. This precipitate is then removed by filtration and reacted with 70% sulfuric acid to yield tartaric acid and calcium sulfate.

General Description

Tartaric Acid belongs to the group of carboxylic acids, and is abundantly found in grapes and wine. It is widely used in drugs, food, and beverage industry.

Flammability and Explosibility

Notclassified

Pharmaceutical Applications

Tartaric acid is used in beverages, confectionery, food products, and pharmaceutical formulations as an acidulant. It may also be used as a sequestering agent and as an antioxidant synergist. In pharmaceutical formulations, it is widely used in combination with bicarbonates, as the acid component of effervescent granules, powders, and tablets. Tartaric acid is also used to form molecular compounds (salts and cocrystals) with active pharmaceutical ingredients to improve physicochemical properties such as dissolution rate and solubility.

Biochem/physiol Actions

L-(+)-Tartaric acid serves as a donor ligand for biological processes. It is used as a food additive in candies and soft drinks to impart a sour taste.

Safety Profile

Moderately toxic by intravenous route. Mildly toxic by ingestion. Reaction with silver produces the unstable silver tartrate. When heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes.

Safety

Tartaric acid is widely used in food products and oral, topical, and parenteral pharmaceutical formulations. It is generally regarded as a nontoxic and nonirritant material; however, strong tartaric acid solutions are mildly irritant and if ingested undiluted may cause gastroenteritis. An acceptable daily intake for L-(＋)-tartaric acid has not been set by the WHO, although an acceptable daily intake of up to 30 mg/kg body-weight for monosodium L-(＋)-tartrate has been established. LD50 (mouse, IV): 0.49 g/kg

storage

The bulk material is stable and should be stored in a well-closed container in a cool, dry place.

Incompatibilities

Tartaric acid is incompatible with silver and reacts with metal carbonates and bicarbonates (a property exploited in effervescent preparations).

Regulatory Status

GRAS listed. Accepted for use as a food additive in Europe. Included in the FDA Inactive Ingredients Database (IM and IV injections; oral solutions, syrups and tablets; sublingual tablets; topical films; rectal and vaginal preparations). Included in nonparenteral medicines licensed in the UK. Included in the Canadian List of Acceptable Non-medicinal Ingredients.

Who Evaluation

Evaluation year: 2017