Citric Acid and Its Salts as Calcifying Agents in Rats

Abstract

The diet used was the Steenbock-Black rachitogenic diet 2965. To this was added lactic acid or citric acid and/or its salts primarily at the level of 0.04 mol. of supplement per 100 gm. basal ration. The increase in bone ash values for the various supplements showed approximately the following averages: lactic acid 2%, citric acid 4%, sodium citrate 9%, citric acid-sodium citrate mixtures 9 to 11%, potassium citrate 13%, citric acidpotassium citrate mixtures 14 to 16%. The effectiveness of citrates in improving the calcification in rats on a rachitogenic diet was confirmed, but the need of citric acid-citrate mixtures for the improvement was not confirmed. The greater effectiveness of potassium citrate as calcifying agent was indicated. The calcifying effect of citrates appeared to be unrelated to sex, gain in weight or food intake.