Calcium propanoate

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. It is only effective in foods with a pH of 5.5 or below (i.e., foods that are relatively more acidic). Calcium propionate and sodium propionate are effective against both Bacillus mesentericus (rope) and mold. Agriculture In agriculture, it is used to prevent milk fever in cows and as a feed supplement. It can be used as a fungicide on fruit. Industrial It is of research interest in the production of belite cement clinkers and as a dual NOx/SOx reducing agent in coal furnaces. == Reactions ==

Thermal decomposition in an inert atmosphere follows a radical mechanism that yields 3-pentanone. In the presence of oxygen, an exothermic reaction occurs involving the formation of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, acetaldehyde, methane and water. This occurs at approximately , while the radical pathway occurs near the melting point at . Both pathways end in the formation of calcite. == 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. ==References==