Tricalcium Phosphate in the Food Industry

Tricalcium phosphate is a virtually insoluble calcium salt of phosphoric acid. These properties make it ideal for many uses within the food industry, and because tricalcium phosphate is sourced from a mineral, it is considered vegan-friendly and allowed for use in organic products in the U.S. Bell Chem, a food and reagent product supplier, has compiled a short list of tricalcium phosphate’s most widely known uses.  

Anti-Caking
Tricalcium phosphate’s insolubility plays a vital role when it is an ingredient in dry cake and biscuit mixes, dry soups, powdered drink mixes, and any other food or drink mixture where flowability is necessary. Physically, tricalcium phosphate is a chalky, fine, white powder that can absorb 10% of its overall mass in moisture. Because moisture causes mixes to clump, this water absorption feature keeps mixes flowing freely.

Buffering Agent
Many fermented or canned items, such as jellies, wines, and condiments, have a naturally low pH. Tricalcium phosphate acts as a pH regulator, or buffer, to bring the pH to a more basic level. Acids have a strong flavor; the addition of tricalcium phosphate decreases that flavor, giving foods a more enjoyable taste.Clouding AgentReduced-fat foods often have a distinct mouthfeel that most people do not enjoy. As a clouding agent, tricalcium phosphate adds opacity while it smooths out lumps with its anti-caking properties. The result is a much more robust gravy or soy milk, for instance with a more robust viscosity we recognize as fatty.

Supplement
Calcium is an important mineral that strengthens bones. It bonds readily with other minerals, such as phosphates, to stabilize the molecule and deliver both minerals to the body. Phosphorus plays an active role in cell signaling and energy production throughout the body as well as in nucleic acids, the building blocks of DNA. Added to juice, cereal, or milk, tricalcium phosphate is likely to be the ingredient in these and other “high in calcium” products. Calcium is often paired with Vitamin D (such as in milk and other dairy products) since Vitamin D enhances the absorption of calcium.

 Bell Chem is a food and reagent product supplier with hundreds of products, such as tricalcium phosphate, stocked in their 50,000+ square-foot warehouse. You can expect the highest quality products, expedited shipping options for maximum efficiency, and unrivaled personalized customer service. Let our knowledgeable and friendly customer service representatives and accounting staff personalize all your needs by either calling 407-339-BELL (2355) or by sending us an online message.