A potentiometric technique for kinetic determination of citrate, based on inhibition of crystalline growth of lead carbonate seed crystals

The growth of lead carbonate seed crystals is strongly inhibited by the presence of citric acid. The kinetics of crystal growth were followed potentiometrically with a lead ion-selective electrode. The study of different variables on such a process was carried out with the aim of developing kinetic procedures to determine citrate (0.5–2.0 μg/ml). The selectivity and sensitivity of these processes allow the application of his crystallization reaction to direct determination of citrate in drinks and in a pharmaceutical product.