Definition: In chemistry, an acidulant is a compound or mixture that dissolves in water and forms hydrochloric acid (HCl). The term "acidulant" comes from the Greek root for "acid," which means "to dissolve." Acidulants are often used in pharmaceuticals and chemicals to neutralize acidic compounds. They are also commonly found in food products, such as sugar and salt. In an aqueous solution of a base or acid, such as potassium hydroxide (KOH), the pH will be adjusted due to the formation of HCl ions when the pH is decreased by adding more KOH. This process can occur in large amounts and is often used for cleaning and deodorizing purposes. Acidulants also have other applications in industrial processes, such as in the production of ammonia from natural gas or sulfuric acid, and in the preparation of pharmaceuticals. An example of an acidulant compound is the NaOH solution, which dissolves water to form HCl. This reaction can be used to neutralize acids that are present in industrial settings or when working with organic compounds.

acidulant