Uses of Tartaric Acid

Kids, do you know which acid is found in your favourite tamarind sauce? Yes, it’s tartaric acid. Tartaric acid is an organic acid found in various fruits, plants, and wine. People use tartaric acid in various ways in different industries. Tartaric is used commercially as a flavouring and an additive agent in food industries. Due to its unexceptional uses, it is also used in many industries like photography, pharmaceuticals, tanning, ceramics, and textile printing. 

We will discuss the uses of tartaric acid in detail in this article. So let’s move further and read the article!

A Packet of Tartaric Acid

What is Tartaric Acid?

Tartaric acid is a crystalline white solid acid that occurs naturally. It is an organic acid and is found in many fruits, such as citrus fruits, tamarind, bananas, and, most notably, grapes. Tartaric acid is also used as a food additive in baking powder. The chemical name of tartaric acid is dihydroxybutanedioic acid. It is one of the most common and widely distributed plant acids and is a dicarboxylic acid. 

The history of tartaric acid goes back to 1769 when it was isolated by Carl Wilhelm Scheele, a Swedish chemist, for the first time. Tartaric acid was already in observation by the Romans and Greeks. They observed 'tartar' as a partially purified form of acid. Tartaric acid is obtained as a by-product of wine fermentation.

Tartaric acid is a crystalline solid with a pungent taste and is highly soluble in water. It is also used in foods for its antioxidant properties and sour taste.

Grapes Contain Tartaric Acid

Important Points About Tartaric Acid

Let's see some important points about tartaric acid:

• Chemical Formula: C4H6O6

• Chemical Name: Dihydroxybutanedioic acid

• Molar Mass: 150 gram per mole

• Density: 1.79 grams per millilitre

• Melting Point: 171°C

• Boiling Point: 275°C

• Appearance: Crystalline solid

• Solubility: Soluble in water

Uses of Tartaric Acid in Food

Tartaric acid is widely used in the food and preservative industry. Tartaric acid is also a major component of the baking industry as it is used as a leavening agent in baking powder. It also enhances the colour and fruit flavour of the bakery items. The salt form of tartaric acid is called the 'cream of tartar and is a preservative agent.

Pharmaceutical Uses of Tartaric Acid

Medicinal uses of tartaric acid are because it has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which help in keeping our immune system healthy. Pharmaceutical uses of tartaric acid include the formulation of drugs for heart diseases, effervescent tablets and powders, and antibiotic tablets. 

Tartaric Acid Uses for Skin 

Along with the food and pharmaceutical industry; tartaric acid is also of great help in the cosmetic industry. Many cosmetic products like creams, moisturisers, and serums have tartaric acid in their preparation. It is an anti-ageing acid that helps maintain the skin's pH level. Tartaric acid is used in the beauty industry as a skin-lightening agent.

Medicine Containing Tartaric Acid

Summary

In this article, we learned that tartaric acid is an organic acid found in various plant products. It is found in fruits we eat, beauty products we use, and even some medicines we take. It is a diprotic acid with two hydrogen atoms on each molecule that can be ionised in water.

We have also discussed many uses of tartaric acids, such as improving the taste of oral medications, acting as a leavening agent and baking soda, as antioxidants, in foods that give a sour taste, inducing vomiting, making silver mirrors and dyeing and textile industry in this article. Due to all these benefits and uses, tartaric acid has become a major component of our lives.