Preparation Methods for Calcium Propionate

AHTSHAM ASHRAF

13001140013

DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY

UNIVERSITY OF MANAGEMENT AND TECHNOLOGY

Contents

Introduction

Uses

Methods for Preparation

Comparison

Conclusion

References

Introduction

Calcium Propionate is white crystals, powder or granules with not more than a faint odour of propionic acid.

It is a calcium salt of propionic acid.

IUPAC Name Calcium Propanoate.

Other Names Calcium propionate, Calcium dipropionate, Mycoban.

Molecular formula C6H10CaO4.

Molar Mass 186.2192 g/mol.

Solubility in water 49 g/100 ml at 0’C, 55.8 g/100 ml at 100’C.

Solubility in others solvents slightly soluble in methanol, ethanol insoluble in acetone, benzene

Structural formula

Uses

Calcium propanoate is used as a preservative in a wide variety of

products like.

Bread and other baked goods, processed meat, whey, and other dairy

products.

In agriculture, it is used to prevent milk fever in cows and as a feed

supplement.

Calcium propanoate also used in bakery products as a mold inhibitor.

Calcium propanoate used as a fungicide on fruit.

Preparation Methods

Method 1:

Calcium propionate is prepared by passing a vaporous mixture of propionic acid and water into

an aqueous solution containing calcium propionate and calcium hydroxide, with or without

propionic acid

2C2H5COOH + Ca(OH)2 Ca(C2H5COO)2 + 2H2O

Method 2

Charge water and calcium oxide or calcium hydroxide to the reactor.

Heat to nearly reaction temperature (approximately 200' C) under pressure (approximately 250 psi).

Add propionitrile slowly, heat of reaction raises reaction temperature to approximately 200' C.

Hold at 200' C to complete the reaction.

Vent reactor to remove most of the byproduct ammonia (with water).

Feed the product from the reactor to the ammonia stripper to remove the residual ammonia.

Circulate the product from the trim tank to the ammonia stripper to remove the last traces of ammonia.

Divert the product to the holding tank when the ammonia specification has been attained.

Adjust the pH to the specification with propionic acid.

Filter and dry the product.

Reactions: -OH

CH3CH2CN + H2O CH3CH2CONH2

2CH3CH2CONH2 + Ca(OH)2 Ca(CH3CH2CO2)2 + 2NH3

Flow Sheet Diagram

Method 3

Calcium propionate is produced by reacting calcium oxide, propionic acid and water, followed

by drying of the salt.

CaO + C2H5COOH + H2O Ca(C2H5COO)2

Comparison

Methods 1 2 3

Yields 83% 98.73% 98%

Conclusion:

Method 2 is best for the preparation of calcium propionate. Which has the highest yield that is 98.73%.

References

 Center for Food and Nutrition Policy review of use of calcium propanoate as an organic agent in cow feed and as milk fever prevention.

 Codex Alimentarius data for calcium propanoate.

 http://www.nysaes.cornell.edu/necfe/pubs/pdf/Venture/venture3_chemical.html.

Biggs, A. R.; El-Kholi, M. M.; El-Neshawy, S.; Nickerson, R. (1997). "Effects of Calcium Salts on Growth, Polygalacturonase Activity, and Infection of Peach Fruit by Monilinia fructicola".Plant Disease 81 (4): 399. doi:10.1094/PDIS.1997.81.4.399

United State Patent, Merkel et al, Patent number 4,700,000, Date of patent Oct. 13, 1987.

Gras Notification Calcium Propionate, Food and Drug Administration, Department of Health and Human Services Washington D.C. Aug.11, 2004.

Propionic acid and its salts for all animal species; European Food Safety Authority, 2011.