Food supplement E282 - calcium propionate
In order to preserve the freshness of the productsnutrition, the absolute majority of manufacturers use all sorts of food additives - preservatives. One of these additives is E282. Without it, conservation is not enough for the winter. What is this substance? Does it have a harmful effect on the human body?
Description
Calcium Propionate (Calcium Propionate),preservative E282 is a food additive, inorganic substance, a compound of calcium salt and propionic acid. It has the appearance of a colorless crystalline powder or granules, without a smell. Such an additive to food is obtained by reacting propionic acid with calcium chloride and other Ca-containing substances.
Calcium propionate: formula, chemical properties
E282 has the chemical formula - C6H10O4Ca. The derivative of this additive is propionic acid E280 (also called propane or methylacetic) - a food preservative in its pure form, corrosive liquid with a very sharp odor. The properties of E282 are due to the action of propionic acid. This acid easily reacts with any substances and forms chemical compounds (amides, halogen anhydrides, ethers, etc.), dissolves in any organic solvents, including water. Propionic acid is indispensable in the food and agricultural industries, in the manufacture of cosmetics, solvents and surfactants.
Application
Calcium propionate is widely used in foodindustry. This preservative increases the shelf life of food, softens already prepared foods, prevents the formation of bacteria, mold and fungi in them.
Food additive E282 is added to the following products:
- bread, flour and confectionery;
- vinegars, grape wines, soy sauces;
- minced meat and products from them;
- preservation for the winter;
- cheese products.
In addition, the E282 is used in the manufacturevarious wine products to avoid aging drinks. This substance is an unspecified preservative for use in the food industry of the Russian Federation. The list of permitted products for the use of the preservative E282, according to paragraph 3.3.17 SanPiN2.3.2.1293-03:
- processed cheese and its products (max.the amount of calcium propionate is 3 g per 1 kg of the manufactured product, optionally addition in combination with propionic and sorbic acids or their salts);
- Wheat bread in the threaded and pre-packed form;
- rye bread extended shelf life (maximum 3 g per 1 kg of manufactured product);
- low-calorie bread, baking and confectionery flour products (no more than 2 g of preservative per 1 kg of finished product);
- wheat bread in a long shelf-life, Easter and Christmas cakes (maximum 1 g per 1 kg of manufactured product);
- cheese and cheese products (for external processingfinished products are used in an amount corresponding to the technical instruction, one component or combined with other propionates with transfer to an acid).
Also, E282 is used in cosmetics and eye drops. The maximum amount of 2% should be considered as propionic acid.
Calcium propionate: harm
One of the harmful effects of a preservative ona person is considered to be non-excitable from the body, since calcium propionate is not absorbed, but remains in human organs and tissues for years, while continuing to accumulate. One of the symptoms of the harmful effects of dietary supplement E282 may be headaches. It is especially recommended to avoid the use of calcium propionate for people with hypertension. Carcinogenicity in humans has not been studied, it is possible that calcium propionate promotes the development of tumor diseases.
Thus, the E282 is a rather dangerous foodadditive. According to the sanitary norms, calcium propionate is a preservative that is suitable for use in food products. Due to the small number of studies of calcium, propionate is banned for use in several countries. Until the end, all the possible effects of the food supplement E282 on the human body are still unknown. However, it is known that it tends to accumulate in the human body. Therefore, food products containing calcium propionate should be discarded whenever possible.
