The Collaborative International Dictionary
chelating agent \che"lat*ing a`gent\, n. (Chem.) a compound which forms a chelate with a metal ion.
Note: Commonly used chelating agents in laboratory use are EDTA and sodium citrate. Citrate is used as an additive to blood collected in blood banks, to chelate the calcium ions and retard clotting.
Wiktionary
n. (context chemistry English) The salt of sodium and citric acid with the chemical formula Na3C6H5O7 and used primarily as a food additive.
Wikipedia
Sodium citrate may refer to any of the sodium salts of citric acid (though most commonly the third):
- Monosodium citrate
- Disodium citrate
- Trisodium citrate
The three forms of the salt are collectively known by the E number E331. Sodium citrates are used as acidity regulators in food and drinks, and also as emulsifiers for oils. They enable cheeses to melt without becoming greasy.
Usage examples of "sodium citrate".
Formaldehyde, glycerin, borax with a little phenol added and some sodium citrate as an anti-coagulant.
Or in 1914, when Albert Hustin found that sodium citrate would prevent blood from clotting.