Calcium Propionate Buying Guide—FAQs about buying Calcium Propionate
Preservative calcium propionate is the calcium salt of propionic acid. It is used as a preservative; however, it has other applications as well. Apart from being used as mild preservatives in baked goods to stop mold formation, it is used as an antimicrobial in processed meat and cheese products.
It is also used as feed preservatives for animals and used in preparation of some cosmetic and medicinal products.
Due to its efficiency in preventing the development of mold and specific bacteria as well as its capacity to retain product freshness while at the same time not diminishing the taste, calcium propionate is widely used especially in baking businesses.
In this calcium propionate buying guide, you will be able to learn more about the area of buying calcium propionate, so that you can be in a better position to make the right decision whenever you are buying calcium propionate. Regardless of whether you are still deciding to use calcium propionate for the first time or considering revamping your buying plan, you will find all the information you need in this frequently asked questions list.
What is Calcium Propionate and What is The Use of Calcium Propionate?
Preservative calcium propionate is a white crystal powder that is obtained as a result of a reaction between calcium hydroxide and propionic acid. This organic salt has no smell and is characterized by a slight bitterness but as it is added in negligible proportions in food products, it doesn’t affect the taste of the food.
Of all food preservation, calcium propionate food grade stands out as the most efficient and is widely used. Its major role is to serve as a mold inhibitor helping to preserve a variety of foods for a much longer time. This preservative achieves its purpose by making the food lower acidic, hence unsuitable for mold as well as bacteria to grow on.
Calcium propionate is quite effective as a preservative, especially in cakes and other food products that require baking. In bread and other bakery products, it inhibits bacterial and mold growth, which causes spoilage and the formation of toxic substances. This preservation method not only protects the quality and the safety of the products but also helps to minimize the amounts of food waste by increasing usability periods.
Further reading： How Does Calcium Propionate Preservative Work?
Beyond baking, calcium propionate E282 finds applications in a range of food products:
- Processed meats: calcium propionate in meat contributes to the inhibition of the Listeria monocytogenes, a pathogenic bacterium that belongs to the most hazardous foodborne pathogen.
- Dairy products: For example, the use of calcium propionate in foods such as cheese prevents molding during storage.
- Plant-based proteins: With the acceptance of more plant-based protein sources, calcium propionate uses for plays a critical role in preserving them.
- Beverages: Some drinks contain calcium propionate preservative to prevent microbial contamination.
Besides its role as a preservative, calcium propionate food grade is also used as a source of calcium in some foods, thus providing nutritive value in the food product. This characteristic of acting as a preservative as well as an ingredient that boosts the nutritional value makes it attractive to manufacturers.
Calcium Propionate Forms and Specifications
Calcium propionate is in the market available in two main physical states to suit the requirements of the numerous sectors – granules and powder.
Calcium propionate granular is the most popular format that is extensively used in the industry. These small, crystalline granules provide several benefits, including:
- Easier handling and metering during production processes
- More controlled, consistent release of the preservative
- Suitability for direct addition to food, feed, and other applications
While the granular form is the predominant choice, it is also offered as a calcium propionate powder. This powdered calcium propionate variant helps enhance the dispersibility and improves the distribution when added to dry mixes, batters, etc. Compared to the granule form, the calcium propionate powder format proves useful when a more uniform mix is preferred for specific end uses.
The buyers should ensure that the calcium propionate they procure is of standard quality and safety regardless of its form. One such certification which is worthy of being sought is the Food Chemicals Codex (FCC).
Calcium propionate FCC has been subjected to numerous chemical and microbiological tests to confirm that it contains no traces of heavy metals or other valuables. Such accreditation offers confidence in the quality of the calcium propionate and a guarantee that it offers the ideal functional properties and meets the legal requirements for food safety. The food, pharmaceutical, and other sensitive industries use FCC-certified calcium propionate because it helps in maintaining the quality of the product and the safety of people’s health.
Calcium Propionate Alternatives
Calcium propionate is one of the most popular and efficient preservatives used in food industry; however, it is not the only one. Several other alternative preservatives can serve similar functions but have their pros and cons.
Sodium Benzoate
Sodium benzoate preservative is a widely used preservative that slows the growth of molds, yeasts and certain bacteria. It is widely used in products with an acidic nature such as fruit juices, beverages, and even sauces and carbonated soft drinks. Sodium benzoate can be more economical than calcium propionate due to its use; however, it can contribute sour or bitter notes in specific products.
Potassium Sorbate
Potassium sorbate preservative is another available option; it is effective against molds, yeasts, and certain bacteria. While potassium sorbate has the same antimicrobial effects as calcium propionate, it is not a calcium source and thus may be used in applications where calcium is not desirable.
Bio-based Preservatives
Consumer trends such as clean labels are also trending with people exhibiting a heightened interest in natural forms of food. These include lactococcus bacteriocins- antimicrobial peptides isolated from lactococcus lactis; Vitamin C (ascorbic acid), have antimicrobial activity in addition to its antioxidant activity; Chitosan, a natural polysaccharide derived from crustacean shells that have antimicrobial properties as well as film-forming ability. Such natural preservatives need not necessarily be unhealthy but can render the products healthy to the consumers’ taste and preference while their effectiveness, compatibility, and costs for the intended use should be analyzed and determined for each of them.
Is it Possible to Use Calcium Propionate in Food in Combination With Other Preservatives?
Calcium propionate may be combined with other preservatives. Here are some common combinations and their synergistic effects:
Calcium Propionate and Citric Acid
Calcium propionate and citric acid are shown to enhance each other in their preservative properties. Citric acid reduces the pH of the product and thus the ability of microorganisms to thrive while calcium propionate slows down the growth of mold, yeast, and bacteria.
Calcium Propionate and Lactic Acid
Like citric acid, lactic acid can result in the decrease of pH and the formation of conditions uninhabitable for spoilage microorganisms. These two preservatives when applied in combination with calcium propionate and lactic acid, improve the antimicrobial effect.
Calcium Propionate and Potassium Sorbate
The combination of calcium propionate and potassium sorbate offers a high level of microbial inhibition since they inhibit bacteria, mold, and yeast. Both of these preservatives are widely employed in baked goods, dairy products, and other food processing.
Calcium Propionate and Sodium Benzoate
The blend of calcium propionate and sodium benzoate is highly useful in the inhibition of mold, yeast, and some number of bacterial species. This preservative mix is commonly added in products that possess high acidity such as fruit juices and condiments.
Common Calcium Propionate Packaging and Types
Based on the needs of the calcium propionate market, Mondstar provides calcium propionate preservatives in the following packaging formats:
- The calcium propionate has been packed in 1kg bags.
The smaller packages are then put inside a 25 kg cardboard box for the purpose of shipment. - Calcium propionate can also be packed in 25 kg bags.
These large bag packages are ideal in so far as persons who need large quantities of the product are concerned.
Is Mondstar a Calcium Propionate Manufacturer?
Mondstar is a food additives supplier, but it does not synthesize calcium propionate in its company. However, Mondstar maintains a strict standard that it follows to guarantee quality of the calcium propionate it offers to customers.
Currently, the calcium propionate manufacturers in China are screened and evaluated by Mondstar strictly based on quality. This means that although Mondstar does not directly produce calcium propionate, we take our time to source quality calcium propionate from screened and trusted calcium propionate suppliers in China.
Can I Get a Calcium Propionate Sample?
Of course, it will be our pleasure to offer you some calcium propionate free samples. Mondstar, as a food additive supplier, provides a calcium propionate procurement service, which provides services such as samples.
Conclusion
Through presenting the calcium propionate buying guide, Mondstar endeavors to make the procedure of buying the best calcium propionate as transparent and convenient as it is possible for the customers. If you need any of Mondstar’s calcium propionate, you are welcome to order from us or if you want to learn more about our buying guide, feel free to contact us.
