What Is Calcium Propionate?
Calcium propionate is a type of organic acid salt consisting of two propionates ionically bonded to one calcium.
As the name implies, it is sometimes called calcium propionate. It is solid at room temperature and is often sold as a white powder. It is easily soluble in water and may be dissolved in water to form an aqueous solution before use.
It is highly stable when stored under normal temperature conditions, but it is preferable to avoid high temperatures and direct sunlight. Although not subject to any major national laws and regulations, it is an irritant to the eyes, so it is recommended that protective equipment such as goggles be worn when handling it.
Uses of Calcium Propionate
Calcium propionate is primarily used as a preservative to inhibit the growth of molds and spores, similar to propionic acid. However, it does not necessarily exhibit antimicrobial activity against all microorganisms. For example, it can inhibit the growth of mold and spore fungi, but not so much yeast.
However, since breads are made using yeast, it is more convenient for preservatives added to breads to be less effective against yeast. Calcium propionate, with its weak effect on yeast, is therefore an ideal preservative for breads. Calcium propionate is also used as a preservative for cheese and confectionery.
Calcium propionate can be added to foods in specific amounts and in specific types of foods. The only foods in which calcium propionate or calcium propionate is allowed are cheese, bread, and confectionery.
The amount of calcium propionate that may be added is calculated based on the amount of propionate before it is converted to calcium salt, and must not exceed 3.0 grams per kilogram of cheese or 2.5 grams per kilogram of bread or confectionery. When Calcium propionate is used in combination with sorbic acid, the amount of calcium propionate and sorbic acid used together must be less than or equal to the standard total amount of propionic acid and sorbic acid.
Properties of Calcium Propionate
The main characteristic of calcium propionate is that it is relatively easy to dissolve in water: 1g of calcium propionate is dissolved in 10 mL of water (water solubility is 1g/10 mL).
Propionates, like calcium propionate, are substances found in the bodies of living organisms. For example, it is produced in trace amounts in the metabolism of microorganisms. Propionate is also produced by bacteria in the human gut.
Calcium propionate is used in small amounts in foods and other products. Because of its small amount, it is considered to be of low toxicity when ingested. However, calcium propionate dissolved in aqueous solution should be handled with care.
If the aqueous solution gets into the eyes when sprayed, it is dangerous and harmful. It can also be equally hazardous if the aqueous solution is directly inhaled in mist form.
Structure of Calcium Propionate
The molecular structure of calcium propionate is a combination of two organic acids, calcium propionate and calcium propionate. In detail, calcium is a divalent cation and propionate is a monovalent organic anion, so that two propionates are ionically bonded to one calcium ion.
The molecular formula is (CH3CH2COO)2Ca. The molecular structure of calcium propionate before becoming a calcium salt is similar to that of acetic acid, the main component of vinegar. Acetic acid becomes propionic acid when the number of carbons in acetic acid is increased by one. One additional carbon of propionic acid will form butyric acid.
Other Information on Calcium Propionate
Applications of Calcium Propionate
Calcium propionate is sometimes used as an additive in feed for cattle and other livestock or in pet food. In addition to being added to feed and pet food for preservative purposes, it is also added to provide calcium as a nutrient.
In agriculture, it is often used to prevent a disease called milk fever in dairy cows. Milk fever is a disease that causes a decrease in blood calcium levels in dairy cows after calving, resulting in symptoms such as loss of consciousness.
Calcium propionate can therefore be added to feed to supplement calcium in postpartum dairy cows.