Sprouting Aid, Makes a Great Substitute for Salt, Natural Preservative. If you're into sprouting then you're already familiar with Citric Acid, a natural preservative typically found in citrus fruits such as lemons and limes. Citric Acid helps to inhibit the formation of mold and other bacterial growth, an all-too-common occurrence when sprouting in a jar due to high temperatures and humidity. Citric Acid is also useful for canning vegetables and fruit preserves. Ingredients: Pure Citric Acid. Recommended use: Citric Acid is a food grade acid that is present in many natural foods. It can be used to reduce spoilage in sprouting by adding 1 tsp. per quart to soak and rinse water. Citric Acid is also useful in canning, drying or freezing foods. It can be used to preserve Vitamin C content, retard spoilage and prevent discoloration. Use 1 tsp. per quart of water or juice for most fruits and vegetables.