Bliley PM
Summary of Data on Potassium Citrate
Abstract
Summarizes the available data regarding potassium citrate. Delineates its status as a GRAS substance and its inclusion as an optional ingredient in various foods. Notes that it is used therapeuatically in humans for various purposes, including cessation of smoking. Discusses the proposition of using potassium citrate as a coating for cigarettes "or additive to cigarette paper to produce a 'self-extinguishing cigarette.'" Summarizes potassium citrate's known chemistry and pyrolysis and discusses the results of various animal studies on the toxicity of potassium citrate. Includes marginalia and editing notes. Duplicates Bates #2029184572.
Fields
- Rank
- 1
- Company
- Philip Morris Cos., Inc.
- Type
- Draft material
- Report
- Author (Organization)
- Covington & Burling (Tobacco Industry law firm)Tobacco industry law firm. Was involved in organizing the Whitecoat Project.
- Named Person
- Beaudoin
- Benting
- Benzing
- Horn
- Jansen
- Landauer
- Rhodes
- Yokotani
- Benting
- Named Organization
- FDA
- Select Committee on GRAS Substances
- U.S. Life Sciences Research Office
- Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd.
- Covington & Burling (Tobacco Industry law firm)
Tobacco industry law firm. Was involved in organizing the Whitecoat Project. - Select Committee on GRAS Substances
- Additive
- Potassium citrate
- Tripotassium salt
- 2-hydroxy-propane-1,2,3-tri-carbonic acid
- 2-hydroxy-1,2,3-propanetricarboxylic acid
- Tripotassium salt
- Keyword
- Acidosis
- Antipyrolic
- Bronchitis
- Cardiac behavior
- Cardioplegia
- Citric acid
- Diaphoretic
- Diarrhea
- Flavor enhancer
- Metabolites
- Genotoxicity
- Gout
- Generally_Recognized_As_Safe
- Hypocitraturia
- Hypokalaemia
- Ischemia
- LD50
- Malaria
- Mutagenic
- Mutagenicity
- Nephrolithiasis
- Potassium citrate
- Pyrolysis
- Rheumatism
- Teratogenic
- Tuberculosis
- Antipyrolic
- Thesaurus Term
- cigarette paper
- metabolism
- tobacco flavorants (items added to enhance the taste of cigarette smoke)
- food
- animal research
- smoking cessation
- metabolism
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PRIVILEGED & CONFIDENTIAL
ATTORNEY WORK PRODUCT
Covington & Burllng Draft
May 20~ 19@2
SUMMARY OF DATA ON POTASSIUM CITRATE
Abstract. Potassium citrate is used as a flavor
enhancer. It has been recognized as GRAS by the FDA for
multiple uses in food.
Potassium citrate has been proposed as a cigarette
coating or as an additive to cigarette paper. However, there
is no information available concerning the pyrolysis of
potassium citrate.
Potassium citrate is metabolized by the body much
like citric acid. Excessive amounts of potassium citrate
result in abnormal cardiac behavior in humans, as well as
gastrointestinal discomfort. There were no significant
treatment related effects in two chronic feeding studies using
rats. ;
Inlsubchronic studies, potassium citrate
effected the growth rate of rats, but it does not appear to be
mutagenic or teratogenic. Sodium citrate accelerated
mortality in mice infected with tuberculosis.
I. Background. Potassium citrate (C~H~K~07; CAS
No. 008~6-84-2), also known as the tripotassium salt of'2-
~ hydroxy-propane-l,2,3-tri-carbo{ic acid, is a natural
constituent and common metabolite of animals and plants.
~itricacid, acid and its
2- hydroxy- !, 2,3-propanetricarboxylic
salts are also natural constituents and common metabolites of
animals and plants~ Citric acid is
an
intermedlal-y
compound
in the Krebs cycle. In humans, the concentration of citrate
is about 20 mg/! in whole blood, and 0.~/'0 g of citrate is
excreted daily in the urine (Ostberg, 1931; SJSstrSm, iS37i.
Citrate occurs in particularly high concentrations in fruits,

including citrus fruits and their juices (Thunberg, 1953;
Clements, 1964; Johnston and Hammill, 1968). Typical concen-
trations, fresh weight, are about i percent in orange juice
and up to 8 percent in unripe lemon juice, as compared to 0.i
percent or less in peas, corn, cabbage, or human milk.
Potassium citrate is used as a food additive and
therapeutic agent. In foods, it is used most frequently for
pH control and as a flavor enhancer (GRAS llst, 1972). The
metal ion complexing properties of citrate make it useful as a
sequestrant, antioxidant and preservative. For the age group
2 to 65+ years, the average intake of potassium citrate
resulting from processed foods was calculated to be 280 mg/day
(GRAS list, 1972). The level of addition was usually below
0.5 percent, expressed as a weighted mean. For the 0 to 5
month age group, the estimated average daily intake of added
citrate is 560 mg.
Potassium citrate is used therapeutically as a
diaphoretic and antipyretic in rheumatism, gout, bronchitis,
and malaria. For these purposes, potassium is given in
multiple daily doses of 1-2 g (Hagers Handbuch, 1976).
Potassium citrate (i0 mmol/l) also has been found to be useful
in treating acidosis, diarrhea, and associated hypokalaemia
(Islam, 1985~,
because the citrate anion can be oxidized to
co= (Hagers Handbuch, 1976). Potassium citrate has been used
in the oral treatment of ~ne~rolithiasis (Lake and Brown,
IS85; Fak &% al~n--~S85 a--Z~.-~--B~s~aiew,-~1989), which can
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result from chronic hypocitraturia by renal
tubular
acidosis, high intake of animal protein, or chronic diarrhea
(Am. PharTn., 1984). Citrate helps prevent the formation of
kidney stones through its ability to increase urinar-f pH'by
forming a complex with calcium. The chemical complex
interferes with the urinar-f c~fstallization of calcium salts,
reducing urinary saturation of calcium oxalate. Citrate also
acts directly as an inhibitor of calcium phosphate and calcium
oxalate crystal growth in the urine. Alkalinization increases
the solubility of uric acid and reduces the formation of uric
acid stones.
Potassium induced cardioplegia (intracorona~f
injection of a buffered, isotonic solution of potassium
citrate containing 26 mEq. potassium/l) was shown to prolong
the duration of cardiac tolerance to ischemia and to
facilitate cardiac surgerl~ (Eff!er ena!., 1957; Lam e__~t a_~l.,
1957; Sones, 1958; Gay and Ebert, 1973; Tyers e__%t a__~l., 1975).
Potassium citrate has been used to support
sulfonamide therapy. It preven<s cr-ysta!luria by alkalization
of the urine (Hagers Handhuch, 1976). Potassium citrate also
is used as gastric antacid (Merck Index, 1983) and to protect
acid labile penicillin and other drugs against stomach acid
(Hagers Handbuch, 1976). P~zassium citrate(has also been use˘
therapeutically to assist persons in smoking cessation (Faust,
1976). In veterinary therapy, potassium citrate is used as a
diuretic (Merck Index, 1983). The chemical also serves as a
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chelating agent for divalent cations in biological research
and technology, e.a., i0 mmol PTC/I can block the-growth of
cultured plant cells (Polacco, 1977). Other uses of potassium
citrate include formulating photographic gelatin emulsions
(Roempps, 1983), scrubbing sulfur dioxide from flue gases
s Jnd
(Patent: Koro electroplating with copper (Patent:
Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd.).
The FDA has recognized potassium citrate as a GRAS
substance (21 CFR ~ 182.1625 (1991)) for use as a sequestrant
and multiple purpose food substance. FDA standards of
identity provide for the addition of potassium citrate as an
optional ingredient in certain cheeses [21 CFR ~ 133], ice
cream [21CFR S 135], jellies and preserves [21 CFR S 150],
canned vegetables [21 CFR ~ 155, 156], and dressings [21 CFR ~
169]. Food grade specifications for potassium citrate limit
the concentrations of arsenic to 3 ppm and heavy metals (such
as lead) to i0 ppm. The Select Committee on GRAS substances
of the U.S. Life Sciences Research Office concluded in 1977
that, "It]here is no evidence in the available information on
potassium citrate that demonstrates, or suggests reasonable
grounds to suspect, a hazard to the public when used at levels
that are now current or that might reasonably be expected in
the future."
Use in Tobacco.
Function.

Potassium citrate has been proposed as a coating for
cigarettes or additive to cigarette paper to produce a "self-
exting~g cigarette" (Patents: Mathews e__!n a!.; Guess;
Reynolds)|. Information on the proposed amounts of the
chemical required for these purposes is unavailable.
B. Use Levsl. An Industry maximum use level for
potassium citrate has not been established.
III. Chemistry & Pyrolysis. Potassium citrate is
synthesized from a concentrated solution of citric acid and
potassium hydrogen carbonate. The dried product is
crystallized from 60 percent ethanol (Hagers Handbuch, 1976)
and appears as white cr~ystals, granules or hygroscopic powder.
The relative molecular mass of potassium citrate is 324.341
the density is 1.98, and the melting point is 230°C
(pyrolysis). The solubility of potassium citrate is i g/0.65
ml in water, 1 g/2.5 ml in glycerol, and the chemical is
practically insoluble in alcohol. The pH of potassium citrate
is 8.5 in an aqueous solution. The chemical has no odor, a
weakly basic/salty taste, and the monohydrate loses its water
at 180°C.
Although unknown, it can be assumed that the fate of
potassium citrate in a burning cigarette would be much like
that of citric acid. Based on this assumption, and based on
knowledge of the fate of citric acid in a burning cigarette,
there are several conclusions that can be drawn concerning the
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vitamin B~2 deficiency only in persons already having marginal
deficiency attributable to other causes.
In one 37-year-old man, who reportedly was allergic
to several organic acids and had developed canker sores,
headaches, general lassitude, and irritability from eating
foods containing citric acid, direct application of potassium
citrate crystals to the oral mucosa produced no effect (Tuft
and Ettelson, 1956).
C. Chronic Animal Studies. Chronic toxicity
studies involving citric acid have been performed on rats. In
studies by Bonting (1952) and Bonting and Jansen (1956), three
successive generations of albino Wistar rats were fed citric
acid in the diet at concentrations of 0.15, 0.45, and 1.20
percent, providing an average intake of i00, 300 and
800 mg/kg/day, respectively. After a feeding period of up to
12 month~, no adverse effects were observed in the treatment
groups i~~ growth, reproduction, mortality or blood components.
The teeth were not harmed by the acid diets. Metabolic
analyses of female rats found no abnormalities in nitrogen
balance, mineral balance, acid-base balance or the gross and
microscopic appearance of the tissues. On the other hand, the
analysis found a decrease in ash and an increase in calcium
,,~antent of the tibia, a slight increase in muscle calcium, a,'
.decrease in muscle sodium.j~nd tgtal muscle phosphorus, and a
decrease ±n l±ver sod±um: The invest±gators d±d not consider

these small changes in tissue composition to be.evidence of
adverse effects.
In a study by Horn e__!t a__~l. (1957), citric acid was
fed to a group of 20 young male albino Cal-worth rats for 2
years at concentrations of 3 and 5 percent of the diet
(average daily intake was 1.2 and 2.0 g/kg, respectively).
Both experimental groups grew more slowly than the controls,
but survival rates did not decrease. At the time of the
sacrifice (2 years), there were no differences in the organ
weights of the control and experimental groups. Results of
microscopic examinations of the thyroid, lungs, heart, liver,
spleen, kidneys, adrenal gland, stomach, small and large
intestines, pancreas, bone marrow, and testes were within
normal limits.
No published studies covering the carcinogenicity of
potassium citrate or citrate were found.
D. Acute & Subchronic Animal Studies. The acute
oral LD~0 of citric acid (produced by Candida sp fermentation
of normal paraffin) in mice was approximately 5 g/kg body
weight and 12 g/kg body weight in rats (Yokotani et al.,
1971). The signs of acute toxicity from orally administered
citric acid in mice and rats were similar to those seen in
organic acidosis and calcium deficiency. Animals given lethal
doses of citric acid orally showed hemorrhaging of the gastric
mucosa at necropsy.
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Six young rats weighing about 75 g were fed a diet
supplemented with 2.5 percent citric acid (about 2 g/kg body
weight) for nine days (de Albuquerque and Henriques, 1970).
The experimental group showed loss or no appreciable gain in
weight during the first few days and then returned to the
expected weight gain pattern.
Yokotani et al. (197!) fed groups of ten SD-JCL male
rats (9~-112 g body weight) citric acid (a refined product of
yeast fermentation) for six weeks at 1.2, 2.4, and 4.8 percent
of the diet; mean intakes of citric acid were 1.15, 2.26, and
4.67 g/ kg/day, respectively. Food intake decreased compared
to the control group by 0.7, 2.6, and 4 percent, respectively.
Growth rate was slightly reduced at all dose levels. The
total plasma protein concentration was significantly less than
that of the controls only at the 2.4 percent dieta~f level;
slight decreases in blood cell counts and hemoglobin were not
statistically significant. At the highest dietary level,
plasma cholesterol concentration decreased, serum glutamic
oxalacetic transaminase activity increased, the thymus weights
were lower, and slight atrophy of the thymus and splenic
follicles was found at necropsy.
Daily oral citric acid administration of 600 mg/kg
(1.2 percent in the diet) to rats for more than 90 days ~
produced no abnormalities in body weight gain, blood,
histopathology of the viscera, or reproduction (Krop and Gold,
i~45). Also, daily oral administration of citric acid to
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dogs, 1.38 g/kg, for 112-120 days was shown to produce no
behavioral, biochemical, or histopathological abnormalities.
There are no available acute or subchronic animal
studies for potassium citrate itself.
Information on dermal, subcutaneous, intravenous, or
intraperitoneal acute toxicity was not found in the
literature.
E. Genotoxicity & MutaqenicitV. No evidence of
potassium citrate mutagenicity has been reported in microbial
assays involving ~. cerevisiae D4 and ~. typhimurium (strains
TA1535, TA1537, TA1538), both with and without the addition of
mammalian metabolic activation preparations (Litton Bionetics,
The gen4~-i-e~toxicity of potassium citrate has been
evaluated in one Japanese study
.inuesti~d, apparently using a cytogenic recombinanion
assay. The results of the study are not readily accessible,
because the publication is in Japanese (Ishizaki and Ueno,
1989).
F. Reproductive Toxicity & Teratolo~. Studies
evaluating the teratological potential of citric acid in
pregnant mice (~ 241 mg/kg administered on days 6 through 15
of gestation), rats (s 295 mg/kg administered on days
through 15 of gestation), hamsters (g 272 mg/kg administered
on days ~ through i0 of gestation), and rabbits (S 425 mg/kg
administered on days 6 through 18 of gestation) found no
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adverse effects on nidation, maternal or fetal survival, or
the number of abnormalities occurring in either soft or
skeletal tissues. (Food and Drug Research Laboratories, Inc.,
1973). In an evaluation conducted in the developing chicken
embryo (Verrett, 1976), potassium citrate had no teratogenic
effects.
In studies of chicken emb~ros performed by Landauer
and Rhodes (1952) and Beaudoin (1968), citric acid was found
to decrease t~e.teratogenic effect of insulin and of t~pan
blue. I Incubation of transplantable tumors (Walker carcinoma
and Pliss lympho-sarcoma) in sodium citrate inhibited tumor
at concentrations above 30 mg/kg (Prizhivoit, 1969).~~
growth
G. InununotoxicitV. Fatal experimental
tuberculosis progressed more rapidly in mice given a diet
containing 8 to i0 percent sodium citrate (approximately 5.5
g/kg body weight~ than in control mice (Dubos, 1955). Adding
2 percent to the drinking water also caused an accelerated
rate of mortality in the animals. The investigator noted that
addition of sodium citrate to the diets of control mice
markedly reduced their rate of weight gain.
There are no available studies concerning the
immunotoxicity of potassium citrate.
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