Triethyl Citrate
INCI: TRIETHYL CITRATE
CAS 77-93-0 EC 201-070-7
Triethyl citrate
Limited Data
Insufficient safety data available. Consider enriching this ingredient.
Details
Description
Triethyl citrate
Purpose
Function
deodorant active; antimicrobial; pH regulator; fragrance fixative; plasticizer
Profile
Properties
Silicone
Silicone free
Compliance
Regulatory Status
EU
Permitted
Safety
EXCELLENT
US
Permitted
EU Max Concentration0.3-1%
Absorptionlow
Sensitizationlow
MoSadequate
NOAEL2000 mg/kg
ConcernLow
Flags
deodorant-activeantimicrobialkrebs-cycle-inhibitorenzymatic-mechanismph-regulatorfragrance-fixativealuminum-freemicrobiome-friendlycosmetic-classificationgrasepa_safer_alternativeifra_fragrancefda_food_additive
Verdict
Antimicrobial deodorant active with enzymatic metabolic disruption mechanism. Bacteria consume triethyl citrate, triggering bacterial esterase-mediated hydrolysis to release citric acid and ethanol, both of which inhibit the bacterial Krebs cycle and disrupt energy metabolism without broad-spectrum microbiome disruption. Operates optimally at pH 5 with minimal sensitization potential and excellent tolerability. GRAS food-grade compound suitable for microbiome-friendly deodorant positioning.
US Note
Cosmetic ingredient; GRAS for food use (FDA); deodorant action via bacterial energy metabolism disruption; cosmetic classification (not OTC drug)
Assessment
Ratings
Reference