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Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2026-08-04 Origin: Site
Calcium propionate is an organic salt with the molecular formula C₆H₁₀CaO₄ (molecular weight: 186.22 g/mol). It is produced through the neutralization reaction of propionic acid with calcium hydroxide or calcium carbonate.
In its commercial form, calcium propionate appears as a white crystalline powder or granular solid with a faint propionic acid odor. It is freely soluble in water and practically insoluble in ethanol.
Calcium propionate (CAS 4075-81-4, E282) is the calcium salt of propionic acid — one of the most widely used mold inhibitors across the global food and feed industries. It extends shelf life in baked goods, preserves nutritional quality in animal feed, and serves as a functional additive in select industrial processes.
Identifier Type | Value |
IUPAC Name | Calcium dipropanoate |
CAS Number | 4075-81-4 |
E Number (EU) | E282 |
INS Number (Codex) | 282 |
Molecular Formula | C₆H₁₀CaO₄ |
Molecular Weight | 186.22 g/mol |
Property | Value |
Appearance | White crystalline powder or granules |
Odor | Faint propionic acid odor |
Solubility in Water | Freely soluble (~28 g/100 mL at 20°C) |
Solubility in Ethanol | Practically insoluble |
pH (10% aqueous solution) | 7.0–9.0 |
Melting Point | Decomposes above 400°C |
Bulk Density | 0.55–0.85 g/cm³ (varies by grade) |
Calcium Content | ~21.5% |
Calcium propionate is hygroscopic — it absorbs moisture from the air. Proper storage in sealed containers under cool, dry conditions (below 30°C, relative humidity < 70%) is essential to maintain free-flowing properties and prevent caking.
Calcium propionate functions as a fungistatic agent — it inhibits mold and certain bacterial growth rather than killing microorganisms outright. The mechanism involves propionic acid dissociation:
1. In aqueous environments (such as the moisture present in bread or feed), calcium propionate dissociates into calcium ions and propionate ions.
2. Propionate ions form undissociated propionic acid at pH levels below ~5.0, which is the active antimicrobial species.
3. This undissociated acid penetrates microbial cell membranes, disrupting internal pH balance and interfering with enzymatic processes essential for mold and bacterial reproduction.
This pH-dependent mechanism explains why calcium propionate is most effective in slightly acidic to neutral food systems, such as bread (pH ~5.0–6.0), cakes, and certain dairy products. It does not interfere with yeast fermentation in bread dough at normal usage levels — a key advantage over some alternative preservatives.
The food sector accounts for the largest share of global calcium propionate consumption. Its primary role is extending shelf life by preventing mold and rope-forming bacteria (Bacillus mesentericus) in baked goods.
Bakery Products
Product Category | Typical Usage Level | Function |
White bread & rolls | 0.1%–0.3% of flour weight | Mold prevention (7–14 day shelf life extension) |
Whole wheat & multigrain bread | 0.2%–0.4% of flour weight | Mold inhibition (whole grain flours carry higher microbial load) |
Cakes & muffins | 0.1%–0.3% of batter weight | Surface mold prevention |
Tortillas & flatbreads | 0.1%–0.3% of flour weight | Extends ambient shelf life in packaged products |
Pizza bases & crusts | 0.2%–0.4% of flour weight | Prevents mold during refrigerated/frozen distribution |
Buns, rolls & rusks | 0.1%–0.3% of flour weight | Standard mold inhibition |
Dairy Products
Calcium propionate is used in certain processed cheese products and dairy-based spreads at levels of 0.1%–0.3% to inhibit surface mold growth during refrigerated storage.
Processed Meat Products
In some jurisdictions, calcium propionate is permitted as a preservative in processed meat products (sausages, deli meats) to inhibit mold on casings and surfaces. Usage is regulated by local food safety authorities; not all countries permit this application.
Other Food Applications
Confectionery
● : Mold prevention in filled chocolates and cream-based sweets
Condiments
● : Preservation of soy sauce and certain fermented condiments
Beverages
● : Limited use in non-alcoholic flavored drinks (subject to regional approval)
The animal feed industry is the second-largest and fastest-growing application segment for calcium propionate, driven by demand for feed safety, shelf-life extension, and nutrient preservation.
Feed Preservation
Calcium propionate is mixed into compound feed, silage, and feed ingredients to prevent mold growth during storage and transport. It maintains the nutritional quality and palatability of feed by suppressing fungal spoilage.
Feed Type | Typical Inclusion Rate | Key Benefit |
Poultry feed | 0.1%–0.5% | Prevents mycotoxin-producing mold |
Swine feed | 0.1%–0.5% | Extends compound feed shelf life |
Cattle feed | 0.2%–0.5% | Maintains TMR (total mixed ration) freshness |
Aquaculture feed | 0.1%–0.3% | Prevents mold in high-moisture pelleted feed |
Silage | 0.2%–0.5% | Improves aerobic stability after opening |
Pet food | 0.1%–0.3% | Shelf-life extension in semi-moist formulations |
Ruminant Nutrition (Energy Source)
In ruminant nutrition — particularly for dairy cows — calcium propionate serves a dual purpose beyond preservation. It acts as a gluconeogenic precursor:
● Propionate is a key volatile fatty acid (VFA) naturally produced in the rumen during carbohydrate fermentation
● Supplemental calcium propionate provides a direct energy substrate that the liver converts to glucose
● This is valued in transition dairy cow management for supporting energy balance during the periparturient period
Growth Performance in Livestock
Research published in peer-reviewed animal science literature indicates that dietary calcium propionate supplementation may support growth performance and feed efficiency in calves and growing ruminants, primarily through improved energy utilization. Effects are mediated through ruminal fermentation modulation and enhanced gluconeogenesis. Individual results depend on basal diet composition, inclusion rate, and animal physiological state.
Beyond food and feed, calcium propionate finds use in several niche industrial applications:
Application | Function |
Tobacco processing | Mold inhibitor in stored tobacco leaf and finished products |
Adhesives & glues | Preservative in starch-based and casein-based adhesives |
Leather tanning | Fungicide in leather preservation during wet-blue and finishing stages |
Paper & packaging | Mold prevention in paper coatings and food-contact packaging materials |
Construction materials | Biocide additive in certain cementitious and gypsum-based products |
Calcium propionate is commercially available in multiple grades designed for different end-use requirements. Selecting the correct grade is critical for regulatory compliance and application performance.
Parameter | Food Grade (FCC/E282) | Feed Grade | Technical/Industrial Grade |
Purity (as C₆H₁₀CaO₄) | ≥ 99.0% | ≥ 98.0% | ≥ 97.0% |
Loss on Drying | ≤ 4.0% | ≤ 5.0% | ≤ 5.0% |
Water Insoluble Matter | ≤ 0.3% | ≤ 0.5% | Not specified |
Heavy Metals (as Pb) | ≤ 10 mg/kg | ≤ 20 mg/kg | Not specified |
Fluoride | ≤ 30 mg/kg | Not specified | Not specified |
Arsenic (As) | ≤ 3 mg/kg | ≤ 5 mg/kg | Not specified |
Iron (Fe) | ≤ 50 mg/kg | Not specified | Not specified |
pH (10% solution) | 7.5–10.5 | 7.0–10.5 | 7.0–10.5 |
Applicable Standard | FCC, E282, JECFA | GB/T, local feed codes | Manufacturer specification |
Calcium propionate (E282) is a mature, well-characterized, and broadly approved preservative that underpins shelf-life management across the global baked goods and animal feed supply chains. Its combination of proven efficacy, established safety profile, favorable handling characteristics, and compatibility with yeast-leavened processes makes it the mold inhibitor of choice for commercial bakeries and feed mills worldwide.
