Although the names "citric acid" and "potassium citrate" sound similar and are chemically related, they have very different applications and are used differently in the body. Citric acid is found in every cell in the body. Potassium citrate is a drug used to treat conditions that are not related to citric acid at all.
Citric Acid -- Chemistry
The chemical name for citric acid is a 2-hydroxypropane-1,2,3-tricarboxylic acid. This means that it is a small 3-carbon chain with carboxyl groups appended to each carbon atom and a hydroxyl group appended to the second carbon atom. Since the carboxyl groups tend to give up a hydrogen atom, citric acid is mildly acidic.
Like many acidic substances such as vinegar, citric acid adds a sour taste to foods.
Potassium Citrate
Citric acid is also part of the citric acid cycle, also known as the Krebs cycle or the tricarboxylic acid cycle. The Krebs cycle takes place in every cell, which means that citric acid is found in every cell. This series of biochemical reactions in this cycle produces adenosine triphosphate, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide and guanosine-5'-triphosphate, better known by their abbreviations ATP, NADH, and GTP. ATP, GTP and NADH help catalyze many chemical reactions in the body.
Potassium Citrate
Potassium citrate is the potassium salt of citric acid. One hydrogen atom on each of the three carboxyl groups of citric acid is replaced with a potassium atom, which is why potassium citrate is also known as tripotassium citrate. Potassium citrate is commercially available at pharmacies, discount houses and online.
Renal Tubular Acidosis
Renal tubular acidosis, or RTA, is an acid-base disorder that produces acidic urine. This condition is usually secondary to other diseases, including sickle cell anemia, Fanconi syndrome and kidney disease. Doctors often prescribe potassium citrate for patients with RTA because it prevents the formation of kidney stones, which is a problem that tends to dog these patients
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