Isopropyl Citrate Mixture
The short version
A mixed-isopropyl citrate ester blend — sequestrant and antioxidant synergist for fats and oils.
It's widely considered safe at the amounts used in food, so we mark it green. The Safety section below has the details.
Where it comes from
Manufactured by partial esterification of citric acid with isopropanol — yields a controlled mixture of mono-, di-, and tri-isopropyl citrate. The mixture's oil solubility carries the citrate's metal-chelating action into lipid phases that EDTA (E385) cannot reach.
How it's used
Used in edible oils, margarines, shortenings, and fat-containing supplements to sequester trace metals (iron, copper) that catalyze lipid oxidation. Works synergistically with tocopherols and other antioxidants by removing the metal catalysts that consume them.
Safety profile
ADI of 0–14 mg/kg body weight. Hydrolyzed in digestion to isopropanol and citric acid — isopropanol is metabolized to acetone and CO2 at this scale.
Physical & chemical properties
Pale yellow to amber viscous liquid. Soluble in oils; insoluble in water.
Regulation worldwide
Permitted in the US, EU, and most jurisdictions for fat applications with maximum-use limits.
Educational information only. Not medical or dietary advice.