- Calcium propionate
Chembox new
Reference= ["Merck Index", 11th Edition, 1705.]
ImageFile=Calcium propanoate.png
IUPACName=Calcium propanoate
OtherNames=Calcium propionate
Mycoban
Section1= Chembox Identifiers
CASNo=4075-81-4
PubChem=19999
EINECS =223-795-8
SMILES=CCC(=O) [O-] .CCC(=O) [O-] . [Ca+2]
Section2= Chembox Properties
Formula=C6H10CaO4
MolarMass=186.22
Appearance=White crystalline solid
Density=
MeltingPt=
BoilingPt=
Solubility=Freely soluble
Section3= Chembox Hazards
MainHazards=
FlashPt=
Autoignition=Calcium propionate or calcium propanoate has the formula Ca(C2H5COO)2. It is the
calcium salt ofpropionic acid .Uses
As a food additive, it is listed as
E number 282 in theCodex Alimentarius . Calcium propionate is used as a preservative in a wide variety of products, including but not limited to bread, other bakery goods, processed meat, whey, and other dairy products. [http://www.codexalimentarius.net/gsfaonline/additives/details.html?id=306 Codex Alimentarius data for calcium propionate] ] In agriculture, it is used, amongst other things, to preventmilk fever in cows and as a feed supplement [http://www.ams.usda.gov/NOP/NationalList/TAPReviews/CalciumPropionate.pdf Center for Food and Nutrition Policy review of use of calcium propionate as an organic agent in cow feed and as milk fever prevention] ] Propionates prevent microbes from producing the energy they need, like benzoates do. However, unlike benzoates, propionates do not require an acidic environment.cite web | title=Ingredients -- Calcium propionate| url=http://sci-toys.com/ingredients/calcium_propionate.html| accessdate=2007-03-10]Calcium propionate is used in bakery products as a mold inhibitor. Mold contamination is considered a serious problem amongst bakers, and conditions commonly found in baking present near-optimal conditions for mold growth.cite web | title=Keeping molds, bacteria at bay| url=http://bakingmanagement.bakery-net.com/article/7448| accessdate=2007-03-24]
A few decades ago, "
Bacillus mesentericus " (rope), was a serious problem,Fact|date=February 2007 but today's improved sanitary practices in the bakery, combined with rapid turnover of the finished product, have virtually eliminated this form of spoilage.Fact|date=February 2007 Calcium propionate andsodium propionate are effective against both "Bacillus mesentericus " rope and mold.Fact|date=February 2007According to the Pesticide Action Network North America, calcium propionate is slightly toxic. [ [http://www.pesticideinfo.org/Detail_Chemical.jsp?Rec_Id=PC33679 Pesticide Action Network data on calcium propionate] ] This rating is not uncommon for food products;
vitamin C is also rated by the same standards as being slightly toxic. [ [http://www.pesticideinfo.org/Detail_Chemical.jsp?Rec_Id=PC35665 Pesticide Action Network data on Vitamin C] ] Calcium propionate can be used as a pesticide. [Biggs, A.R., M. El-Kholi, S. El-Neshawy, and R. Nickerson. 1997. [http://www.caf.wvu.edu/kearneysville/biggs/biggs3a.html Effect of calcium salts on growth, polygalacturonase activity, and colonization of peach fruit by Monilinia fructicola] . Plant Disease 81:399-403.]Behavioral effects
Calcium propionate has been weakly linked to irritability, restlessness, inattention, and sleep disturbance in children. [ [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=12173999&query_hl=3&itool=pubmed_docsum Pubmed document] ] The Ecologist Online claims that it is linked to allergic reactions in bakery workers. [ [http://www.theecologist.org/archive_detail.asp?content_id=307 the ecologist doc. 307] ]
References
External links
* [http://www.fedupwithfoodadditives.info/factsheets/Fact282.htm Food Intolerance Network activism page concerning calcium propionate]
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