July 5, 2024
Calcium Lactate

Calcium Lactate: Unraveling the Role and Significance of Calcium bis in Nutrition

Calcium bis is a calcium salt that is made up of lactic acid and calcium. It has the chemical formula C6H10CaO6. Lactic acid is derived from milk and fermented foods through a natural process. When lactic acid reacts with calcium, it forms calcium bis. Calcium bis is commonly used as a dietary calcium supplement, a leavening agent in baked goods and as a firming agent in fruits and vegetables.

Uses of Calcium Lactate

Calcium Lactate is has several important uses in different industries. Some of its major uses are:

Dietary Supplement: Calcium bis is widely used as a dietary calcium supplement. It is in the form of calcium bis tablets, capsules or powders. It provides the body with essential calcium needed for bone health and other functions. Many calcium supplements contain calcium bis as the calcium source.

Leavening Agent: In baked goods like breads and cakes, calcium bis acts as a leavening agent. During baking, it releases carbon dioxide gas due to the reaction between lactic acid and calcium. This helps baked items rise and gives them a light and fluffy texture.

Firming Agent: Calcium bis is commonly applied as a post-harvest treatment on fruits and vegetables to increase their firmness. Fruits treated with calcium bis last longer and don’t get overripe quickly. Common produce items treated with calcium bis include apples, apricots, strawberries, peas, beans and broccoli.

Manufacturing Specialty Confections: Calcium bis is used in manufacturing special confectionery items that require calcium for texture and structure. It is used in fudge, caramels, candy coating and gummy candies.

Other Industrial Uses: It also finds application in manufacturing Calcium Lactate caseinate, metal working fluids, food preservatives, textiles and paper. Calcium bis neutralizes acidic waste streams from industries as well.

Health Benefits of Calcium bis

Calcium bis provides several important health benefits due to its calcium content:

Bone Health: Calcium is essential for building strong bones and preventing osteoporosis. It is required for mineralization and crystallization of bone. Calcium bis supplementation helps improve bone density and strength.

Muscle Function: Calcium helps regulate muscle contraction and relaxation. Adequate calcium through calcium bis ensures smooth functioning of muscles.

Nerve Signaling: Calcium acts as a messenger for nerve impulses and proper nerve cell functioning. It is required for various physiological processes in the body.

Heart Health: Maintaining calcium balance reduces high blood pressure and keeps arteries flexible for reduced heart disease risk.

Dental Health: Calcium contributes to enamel formation and protects against tooth decay and loss. It makes teeth stronger.

Pregnancy and Lactation: Calcium requirements increase during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Calcium bis aids in fetal skeletal development and calcium transfer through breast milk.

Advantages of Calcium bis

Some key advantages of using calcium bis include:

Highly Soluble: Calcium bis is more readily soluble compared to other calcium salts like calcium carbonate. This enhances its absorbability in the body.

Non-Reactive: It does not react with other ingredients unlike calcium gluconate or calcium citrate. Hence it is suitable for various food and industrial applications.

Stable and Safe: Calcium bis is heat stable and does not spoil or decompose easily during processing and storage. It is considered safe for consumption.

Natural Derivative: As it is derived from lactic acid that occurs naturally in milk and fermented foods, calcium bis is perceived as a “clean label” ingredient.

Multi-Industry Uses: Due to its versatile properties, calcium bis has diverse uses across many industries like food, pharma, agrochemicals etc.

Economical: It provides an economical source of calcium as compared to other calcium salts for various uses.

Disadvantages of Calcium bis

Despite various advantages, calcium bis also has some limitations:

Bitter Taste: In higher concentrations, it can impart a slightly bitter or cardboard-like taste to foods and baked goods.

Hydroscopic: It tends to absorb moisture from the environment leading to caking issues if not stored correctly.

Tablet Hardness: Calcium bis tablets may not be as hard as calcium carbonate tablets if not formulated properly.

Solubility Issues: Its water solubility can be reduced in the presence of other compounds like phosphates.

Requires Sufficient Acidity: Dissolution of calcium bis necessitates adequate acid content in the stomach for absorption.

calcium bis is a very useful calcium salt with applications in supplements, foods and industries due to its absorption, stability and natural source advantages. Like all substances, it needs to be used carefully considering its solubility and taste limitations. When utilized correctly, calcium bis can effectively deliver an array of health and nutritional benefits.

*Note:
1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public Source, Desk Research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it.