Growth Potential of Calcium Propionate in the Food Industry

Use of Preservatives:

Mold is an opportunistic organism (fungi) that feeds on organic matter and reproduces thereby causing food-borne diseases. One of the serious problems found among baked goods is that it decreases the shelf life and thus spoils the food. Bread, buns provide optimal temperature and conditions for mold to grow on baked goods. The mold itself is not harmful but toxins produced by it are carcinogenic in nature, also known as Mycotoxins. Thus, post-baking contamination control is very important to keep mold growth in check. Packaging, cooling, and preservatives addition to being carried out with utmost care and hygiene.

Calcium propionate:?

Calcium Propionate that goes by the formula Ca(C2H5COO)2 is an organic calcium salt. It is a stable compound that is soluble in water and is most active under pH 5.5. It is formed by the chemical reaction of calcium salts with propionic acid. It is an antifungal agent that under acidic conditions converts to propionic acid which is slightly stronger than acetic acid, thereby, having an antibacterial effect. Calcium propionate prevents the growth of bacteria and energy produced by them, unlike benzoates which require an acidic environment. Calcium propionate is one of the intermediate products of animal metabolism which has the broad antibacterial activity to prevent molding by inhibiting the propagation of microorganisms.

It is used as a preservative in the field of food, agriculture, and pharmaceuticals industry. Most commonly used in baked goods, processed meat, and dairy products. Also improves the appetite of livestock and increases milk production when is mixed with other inorganic components. As a feed additive, it enhances the shelf life by preventing feed molding.

Naturally,?Calcium propionate?occurs in cheese and butter but is mostly used as a preservative in bread and baked goods that can be easily spoiled by mold growth but does not interfere with the yeast fermentation of bread. Calcium propionate is sometimes used alongside sodium propionate as sodium propionate delays the fermentation process of bread by raising the pH. Whereas it is preferred over calcium propionate in cakes or pastries as they become fluffy without worrying about the increase in pH. Yet Calcium propionate is more stable than sodium propionate.

Calcium Propionate?is added in the dough preparation phase and is an effective dose to attain the required results. But if the baked item is prepared not according to Good Manufacturing practices even in a suitable environment, it may not effectively inhibit bacterial/ fungal growth.

Growth In Food Industry:?

Ensuring the safe supply of hygienic products to consumers has become the major concern which led to an increase in demand for the preservative to prevent spoiling of products, especially that are soon prone to mold or bacterial growth, thereby decreasing shelf life. Consumers’ preference for fresh, hygienic products with prolonged shelf life has increased. And Calcium Propionate has become a choice of preference for countable reasons thus increasing its market value of it. Let us list them all:

• Calcium Propionate has grown as a Consumer’s food preference and is dominating the market due to its ability to counter bacterial and fungal growth and at the same time unaffecting the yeast role in the production of bread. Its ability to prolong the shelf life of the baked good is yet another factor contributing to an increase in market growth. It is a cost-effective solution compared to other propionates and is the best alternative for sodium propionate.?
• Application: An increase in market demand has increased market growth. Research in various fields of the food industry has opened revenues to Calcium propionate. The increase in applications of preservatives has been the driving force behind increasing the demand for products like calcium propionate as safety measures for food products. Not only in baked goods and bread but is also effectively used as:
• Browning agent for vegetables
• Antifungal agents for fruits
• In beverages, prevents the growth of microorganisms.
• Used in preventing milk fever in animals. In addition to it, it is used as a food supplement for animals.?
• It is used as a feed additive for animals thereby increasing milk production, their appetite. It is also used as a pesticide.
• Used as a preservative for processed meat.
• Even though it has a limited role in the agriculture and pharmaceutical industry, it has growth potential in the coming years.?
• Region and regional demands: North America, Germany, Belgium, and Canada majorly dominate the consumption of Calcium propionates. The developing countries where the consumption of bread is more per capita fuel the demand for calcium propionate. The demand is growing along with the production of livestock goods. The Asia pacific on other hand has seen a drastic change in lifestyle and food industry. The growth of the food industry in India and China with changing food habits is likely to witness growth in the market of Calcium propionate.?
• Safety Studies for Calcium Propionate: With the increase in demand, the question raised regarding the safe use of Calcium propionate. Will it cause toxicity or get accumulated in the body causing harmful effects? The answer was No. Its accumulation was found to be non-toxic in bodies causing no harmful effects. After we consume Calcium propionate along with a food item, it gets dissociated into Calcium and propionic acid in the digestive system which is then metabolized like any other fatty acid and eliminated by the body.