Tartaric Acid and Organic Acids

Tartaric acid is a white crystalline diprotic organic acid. It occurs naturally in many plants, particularly grapes, bananas, and tamarinds, and is one of the main acids found in wine. It is added to other foods to give a sour taste, and is used as an antioxidant. Salts of this material are known as tartrates. It is a dihydroxy derivative of succinic acid.

Ammonium tartrate, the ammonium salt of tartaric acid, is used in such applications as cell culture and chromatography. Ammonium tartrate has been used to displace sodium for the analysis of a modified oligonucleotide by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization post-source decay (MALDI-PSD). It is also utilized in electron spin resonance (ESR) dosimetry research, and has been probed as a more sensitive standard than L-alanine for high dose determinations.

Showa America supplies many grades of tartaric acid, including

  • L-tartaric acids
  • EL-50% Tartaric Acid Solution
  • Potassium L-bitartrate
  • Disodium L-tartrate
  • Potassium sodium tartrate
  • Potassium tartrate
  • Antimony Potassium tartrate
  • Ammonium tartrate

We have many other grades, so please contact us to discuss your specific needs.