Calcium Propionate

Description

Calcium propanoate or calcium propionate has the formula Ca(C2H5COO)2. It is the calcium salt of propanoic acid. It is a preservative commonly used in baked goods around the world, where it extends their shelf life by inhibiting the growth of spoilage microorganisms, namely mold and ropy bacteria.

The Uses of Calcium Propionate

Calcium Propionate is the salt of propionic acid which functions as a preservative. It is the most widely used antimycotic in breadmaking. it is effective against mold, has limited activity against bacteria, and no activity against yeast. it is soluble in water with a solubility of 49 g/100 ml of water at 0°c and insoluble in alcohol. it is less soluble than sodium propionate. its optimum effectiveness is up to ph 5.0 and it has reduced action above ph 6.0. It is often utilized at about 0.2%, flour basis; higher concentrations lead to flavor problems and begin to inhibit yeast fermentation. it is used in bakery products, breads, and pizza crust to protect against mold and “rope.” it is also used in cold-pack cheese food and pie fillings. typical usage level is 0.2–0.3% and 0.1–0.4% based on flour weight.