1. Citrate increases the rotation ofthe molybdate complexes of malic acid (as already observed by Auerbach & Kruger [1923]), of citramalic acid and of isocitric acid. The increase can amount to more than 100 %. The magnitude of the effect under varying conditions is investigated.2. The effect of citrate must be taken into account when the above acids are determined polarimetrically by the molybdate method. Isocitric acid concentrations calculated from polarimetric readings by previous investigators who were unaware of the citrate effect require revision.3. Preliminary experiments show that the equilibrium mixture of isocitrate, 6i8-aconitate and citrate in the presence of liver or muscle aconitase contains 6*2 % isocitrate, 4*3 % cis-aconitate and 895% citrate (380; pH 6-8; 0-025M phosphate buffer). The effect of pH is small between 6-& and 7-4. MgCl2 shifts the equilibrium in favour of citrate.4. A modified polarimetric method is suggested for the determination of malic and isocitric acids, applicable to solutions containing citrate.