Calcium propanoate
Calcium propanoate or calcium propionate is a food additive used primarily as a preservative in bakery products. It is an organic salt produced by the reaction of calcium hydroxide with propanoic acid.
Chemical Structure[edit | edit source]
Calcium propanoate is a white crystalline solid, it is formed by two propanoate groups linked to a calcium ion. The chemical formula for calcium propanoate is C6H10CaO4.
Uses[edit | edit source]
Calcium propanoate is used in bakery products as a mold inhibitor, typically at 0.1-0.4% (though animal feed may contain up to 1%). It also occurs naturally in butter and some types of cheese. When used in bakery products, it can increase the shelf life of the product.
Safety[edit | edit source]
Calcium propanoate is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA. However, it can cause irritation to the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract. It is not known to be carcinogenic, and there is no evidence that it has any effect on human reproduction or development.
See Also[edit | edit source]
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