Determination of Organic Acids in Foods

Determination of Organic Acids in Foods

Organic acids with acidic properties, classified according to the number of carboxylic functions, are generally weak acids. Organic acids are categorized according to four characterizations:

• Nature of the carbon chain (aromatic, aliphatic, alicyclic) and heterocyclic
• Saturation or unsaturation properties
• Substituted or unsubstituted properties
• Number of functional groups (mono, di- or tri-carboxylic)

Organic acids in foods affect the organoleptic properties of vegetables and fruits such as colour, taste and aroma. Organic acids used as additives in foods and foods and restrictions according to the Food Additives Regulation:

Fumaric acid, (E297)
- Sugar-based confectionery, 1000 mg/kg
- Fillings and toppings for light bakery products 2500 mg/kg
- Easily soluble instant powders for fruit-based beverages 1000 mg/kg
- Gel-like desserts, fruit flavored desserts, dry powder dessert mixes 4000 mg/kg
- Ready-to-use soluble products for the preparation of flavored tea and herbal infusions 1000 mg/kg

Lactic acid; (E270)
- Mozzarella cheese
- Oils for cooking and/or frying or for the preparation of sauce/gravy (usually prepared with broth)
- Calcium acetate
- Jam, jelly, marmalade and sweetened chestnut puree
- Spreadable fruit and vegetable products
- Freshly pre-cooked pasta
- Potato Gnocchi (a traditional Italian dish made with baked potatoes, eggs, flour and various sauces)
- Fresh wheat bread, white and semi-brown breads
- Prepared meat mixes
- Infant formulas
- Beer and malt beverages

Ascorbic acid (E300 )
- Oils for cooking and/or frying or for the preparation of gravy/gravy (gravy usually prepared with broths)
- Prepackaged ready-to-eat chilled unprocessed fruits and vegetables and prepackaged unprocessed and peeled potatoes
- Frozen fruits and vegetables
- Fruits and vegetables in tin or glass packaging
- Jam, jelly, marmalade and sweetened chestnut puree
- Spreadable fruit and vegetable products
- Whole or cracked grain or cereal
- Freshly pre-cooked pasta
- Fresh wheat bread, white and semi-brown breads
- Prepackaged, prepared meat mixtures from minced meat and other than additives or salt Prepared meat mixes to which ingredients are added
- Foie gras, foie gras entier, foie gras blocks/Foie gras, whole foie gras, foie gras in blocks
- Unprocessed fish
- Fruit and vegetable-based drinks, fruit and vegetable juices and non-grain-based complementary foods
- Fruit juices, vegetable juices
- Alcoholic beverages, including non-alcoholic and low-alcohol beverages
- Non-alcoholic wine-like products

Acetic acid (E260);
- Mozzarella cheese
- Fruits and vegetables in tin or glass packaging
- Fresh wheat bread, white and semi-brown breads
- Prepackaged, minced meat Prepared meat mixtures and prepared meat mixtures to which ingredients other than additives or salt are added

Citric acid (E330);
- Mozarrella cheese
- Mainly dehydrated fats and oils (
- Prepackaged ready-to-eat refrigerated unprocessed fruit and vegetables and prepackaged unprocessed and peeled potatoes
- Fruit and vegetables in tin or glass packaging
- Jam, jelly, marmalade and sweetened chestnuts Puree
- Spreadable fruit and vegetable products
- Freshly pre-cooked pasta
- Potato Gnocchi (a traditional Italian dish made with baked potatoes, eggs, flour and various sauces)
- Prepared Meat mixes
- Prepackaged, prepared meat mixes from minced meat and prepared meat mixes to which ingredients other than additives or salt are added
- Unprocessed fish
- Table flavorings in powder form
- Baby formulas
- Processed grain-based foods and non-grain-based supplements, for pH adjustment only
- Fruit juices and vegetable juices – 3000 mg/kg
- Beer and malt beverages
- wines, sparkling wines, partially fermented grape must – 1000 mg/kg

Malic acid (E296);
- Prepackaged unprocessed and peeled potatoes
- Fruit in tin or glass packaging and vegetables
- Jam, jelly, marmalade and sweetened chestnut puree
- Spreadable fruit and vegetable products
- Pineapple juice – 3000 mg/kg