Magnesium citrate
Magnesium citrate is a magnesium salt of citric acid, made by reacting citric acid with magnesium oxide, hydroxide or carbonate in water and then drying or crystallizing the product. Several salts are sold under the name: trimagnesium dicitrate in anhydrous or hydrated form is the most common, and dimagnesium citrate is a more acidic variant. Magnesium content differs between them, so the exact salt and hydrate belong on the specification; brands buy it as powder or granules for capsules, tablets and drink mixes.
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Fully neutralized salt with the water removed, giving more magnesium per gram than hydrated grades; common in capsules and tablets.
Hydrated grade with lower magnesium per gram and a higher moisture specification.
A partly neutralized, more soluble salt used in effervescent and drink-mix formulas.
Granulated grades for tablet presses.
Small-particle grades for fast dissolution in powdered drinks.
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
Anhydrous magnesium citrate draws moisture from the air, so keep packs sealed, use liners, and store in a cool, dry area; reseal partial bags at once. Hydrated grades are less sensitive but still cake if damp. Shelf life is set by the supplier's specification, and moisture and magnesium are retested on aged stock.
Record the salt type, hydrate and magnesium assay for each lot, since a switch between anhydrous and nonahydrate changes the amount needed per serving. Check flow and caking on arrival for anhydrous lots.
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
Health Canada's List of Permitted Acidity Regulators and Acid-Reacting Materials includes magnesium citrate as an acidity regulator in soft drinks at good manufacturing practice levels.
Source: canada.ca (opens in a new tab)Health Canada's Multi-Vitamin/Mineral Supplements monograph for natural health products lists magnesium citrate and magnesium citrate, tribasic among the source ingredients for magnesium (Table 2).
Source: webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca (opens in a new tab)This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
Manufacturer · Bengaluru, India
Indian maker of pharmaceutical ingredients and mineral salts, with plants in Hosur. Its mineral range covers calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper and selenium salts and amino acid chelates.
Suppliers are in alphabetical order and none pays to appear. Each claim is checked against the supplier’s own website on the date shown. Ask for the specification sheet and a recent COA before you order, and confirm details with the supplier.
Common forms include trimagnesium citrate, anhydrous, trimagnesium citrate, nonahydrate, dimagnesium citrate, directly compressible granules and fine and micronized powders. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
Expect magnesium assay, loss on drying or water, citrate identity and pH, lead and other metals, calcium and other mineral impurities and microbiology, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
Anhydrous magnesium citrate draws moisture from the air, so keep packs sealed, use liners, and store in a cool, dry area; reseal partial bags at once. Hydrated grades are less sensitive but still cake if damp. Shelf life is set by the supplier's specification, and moisture and magnesium are retested on aged stock.
Health Canada's List of Permitted Acidity Regulators and Acid-Reacting Materials includes magnesium citrate as an acidity regulator in soft drinks at good manufacturing practice levels. Health Canada's Multi-Vitamin/Mineral Supplements monograph for natural health products lists magnesium citrate and magnesium citrate, tribasic among the source ingredients for magnesium (Table 2).
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