Determining the amount of citric acid in fruit juice may be useful for nutrition therapy. Citric acid content information, which is not widely known, can help patients with hypocitraturia, a risk factor for kidney stone formation. The goal for people with this condition is to ensure that their intake of citric acid is sufficient to reduce the saturation of calcium and other crystals in their urine. The pH of different juices offers a means for comparing the amount of citric acid they contain. Thus, a pH test strip offers a simple way to measure the citric acid content in fruit juice.
Step 1
Set a pH test strip down on a small plate. Drop several drops of fruit juice on the strip until it is completely wet.
Step 2
Wait 15 to 30 seconds and then check to see what color the test strip has turned.
Step 3
Match the test strip color with the color on the interpretation chart that came with the strips. This color will corresponds to an approximate pH level.
Step 4
Repeat these steps once more to ensure that your results are accurate.
Tips and Warnings
- Some online resources provide general citric acid information for a variety of fresh fruit juices and commercially prepared juice products. You can also use a food grade pH meter to determine the acidity of fruit juices.
Things You'll Need
- Small plate
- pH test strips
- Eye dropper
References
- "Journal of Endourology"; Quantitative Assessment of Citric Acid in Lemon Juice, Lime Juice, and Commercially-Available Fruit Juice Products; Kristina L. Penniston, et al.; March 2008
- UrologyToday.net: Hypocitraturia
- Oklahoma State University; Choosing and Using a pH Meter for Food Products; William McGlynn
- Long Island University; Depleted Uranium and Health: Facts and Helpful Suggestions; Glen Lawrence
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