No, lime juice is not alkaline. While lime itself is an alkaline substance, lime juice is acidic due to the presence of citric acid. The reference provided does state that "lime is an alkaline substance," but this refers to lime in its pure, solid form often used to increase the pH of water.
Understanding pH
pH is a measure of how acidic or alkaline a substance is. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14:
- Acidic: pH less than 7
- Neutral: pH of 7
- Alkaline (or basic): pH greater than 7
Lime vs. Lime Juice
It's important to differentiate between pure lime and lime juice:
| Substance | pH | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Pure Lime | Alkaline | In its pure form, lime is used to increase the pH of water, making it less acidic. The reference mentions that lime can increase pH. |
| Lime Juice | Acidic | Contains citric acid, making it acidic with a low pH. |
Why the Confusion?
The confusion arises because the term "lime" can refer to both the fruit and a specific alkaline substance. It is crucial to understand that lime juice is derived from the fruit and contains citric acid which will be acidic. The reference states that lime is alkaline, therefore it is important to understand the context being referred to. The reference is referring to the solid form of lime which is an alkaline substance.
Practical Application from the Reference:
- The reference highlights that lime can increase the pH of acidic water which is often corrosive to plumbing systems. The reference states "Since lime is an alkaline substance, it has the ability to increase the pH of water that is too acidic".
- Untreated drinking water typically has a pH between 6.5 to 8.5.
- Water treated with lime has a pH closer to the 8.5 to 10.5 range.
While lime in its pure form is alkaline, lime juice is acidic due to its high citric acid content. This means lime juice is more likely to decrease the pH of a solution rather than increase it.
