Calcium propanoate
Chemical compound
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Calcium propanoate or calcium propionate is a chemical compound with the chemical formula Ca(C2H5COO)2. It is the calcium salt of propanoic acid.
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| Names | |
|---|---|
| Preferred IUPAC name
Calcium dipropanoate | |
| Other names
Calcium propionate Calcium dipropionate Mycoban E282 | |
| Identifiers | |
3D model (JSmol) |
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| ChemSpider | |
| ECHA InfoCard | 100.021.633 |
| EC Number |
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| E number | E282 (preservatives) |
| KEGG | |
PubChem CID |
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| UNII | |
CompTox Dashboard (EPA) |
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| Properties | |
| C6H10CaO4 | |
| Molar mass | 186.2192 g/mol |
| Appearance | White crystalline solid |
| Melting point | 385 °C (725 °F; 658 K)[2] |
| 49 g/100 mL (0 °C) 55.8 g/100 mL (100 °C) | |
| Solubility | slightly soluble in methanol, ethanol insoluble in acetone, benzene |
| Structure | |
| monoclinic | |
| Hazards | |
| GHS labelling:[3] | |
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| Danger | |
| H318 | |
| P264+P265, P280, P305+P354+P338, P317 | |
| NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Uses
Food additive
As a food additive, it is listed as E number 282 in the Codex Alimentarius. Calcium propionate is used as a preservative in a variety of products including bread, baked goods, processed meat, whey, and dairy products.[4] It is only effective in foods with a pH of 5.5 or below (i.e., foods that are relatively more acidic).[5]
In bakery products, it acts as a mold inhibitor, typically added at 0.1–0.4%.[5] Calcium propionate and sodium propionate are effective against both Bacillus mesentericus (rope) and mold.[6]
Agriculture
In agriculture, it is used to prevent milk fever in cows and as a feed supplement.[7]
It can be used as a fungicide on fruit.[8]
Industrial
It is of research interest in the production of belite cement clinkers[9] and as a dual NOx/SOx reducing agent in coal furnaces.[10]
Reactions
Thermal decomposition in an inert atmosphere follows a radical mechanism that yields 3-pentanone.[2] In the presence of oxygen, an exothermic reaction occurs involving the formation of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, acetaldehyde, methane and water.[2] This occurs at approximately 310 °C (590 °F; 583 K), while the radical pathway occurs near the melting point at 385 °C (725 °F; 658 K).[2] Both pathways end in the formation of calcite.[2]
Safety
In a 1973 study reported by the EPA, the waterborne administration of 180 ppm of calcium propionate was found to be slightly toxic to bluegill sunfish.[11]