Description
Dicalcium phosphate is a calcium phosphate salt that is widely used as a dietary supplement and a food additive. It’s also known as dibasic calcium phosphate or calcium monohydrogen phosphate. The “di” in its name comes from the fact that its formula contains two hydrogen atoms removed from phosphoric acid to form the HPO42− anion. It’s an important source of both calcium and phosphorus, two essential minerals for human and animal health.
Chemical properties
| Property | Description / Value |
| Chemical name | Dicalcium Phosphate |
| Synonyms | Calcium hydrogen phosphate |
| Chemical formula | CaHPO₄ (commonly hydrated: CaHPO₄·2H₂O) |
| Molecular weight | 136.06 g/mol (anhydrous) |
| Chemical class | Inorganic calcium phosphate salt |
| Appearance | White crystalline powder |
| Odor | Odorless |
| Taste | Slightly chalky (do not taste in practice) |
| pH (10% aqueous suspension, 25 °C) | 6.5 – 7.5 |
| Solubility in water | Slightly soluble |
| Solubility in acids | Soluble |
| Solubility in alcohol | Insoluble |
| Hygroscopic nature | Non-hygroscopic |
| Thermal behavior | Decomposes on strong heating |
| Decomposition products | Calcium oxide, phosphorus oxides |
| Acid–base nature | Weakly basic |
| Buffering capacity | Mild buffering action |
| Oxidizing/reducing nature | Neither oxidizing nor reducing |
| Ionic nature | Ionic compound |
| Stability | Stable under normal storage conditions |
| Incompatibilities | Strong acids |
Uses
Dicalcium phosphate is a versatile compound used across several industries due to its nutritional benefits and physical properties.
Dietary Supplements and Food Additive: Its primary use is as a nutritional supplement in human foods, beverages, and dietary supplements to provide calcium and phosphorus. It’s often added to fortified breakfast cereals, enriched flour, and various processed foods to boost their mineral content. In the food industry, it also functions as a leavening agent, a dough conditioner, and an emulsifier.
Animal Feed: Dicalcium phosphate is a common ingredient in animal feed for livestock, poultry, and pets. It helps ensure that animals receive adequate levels of calcium and phosphorus for strong bone development and overall health.
Pharmaceuticals: In the pharmaceutical industry, it’s used as an excipient—specifically, as a binder and a filler—in tablets and capsules.
Dental Products: Dicalcium phosphate is an abrasive agent in some toothpastes, helping to polish teeth and remove plaque. It can also help to strengthen tooth enamel by providing calcium and phosphate ions.
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