A water-soluble, colorless crystal with an acid taste that is used as a chemical intermediate, in medicine, the manufacture of lacquers, and to make perfume esters. It is also used in foods as a sequestrant, buffer, and a neutralizing agent. (Hawley's Condensed Chemical dictionary, 12th ed, p1099; McGraw-Hill dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 4th ed, p1851)