Anhydrous Dibasic Calcium Phosphate; a Synthetic Source of Calcium and Phosphorus

 

Anhydrous dibasic calcium phosphate, or dicalcium phosphate, is a calcium carbonate with the basic formula CaHPO₄ in addition to its dichroic/monohydrate. It is also known as calcium monohydrogen phosphate or dibasic calcium phosphate. Dicalcium phosphate is commonly used as an oxidizing agent in chemistry. It can react with free radicals to form new compounds and serve as a catalyst. It is often added to polymers to prevent decomposition during the reaction process. When mixed with hydrogen peroxide, anhydrous dibasic calcium phosphate provides a protective coating that prevents oxidation of plastics.

Anhydrous dibasic calcium phosphate is widely used in the production of quality products for pharmaceutical, agriculture, and other industries. As it does not degrade easily, it is commonly used as a fertilizer and as an environmental contaminant. It is commonly used as a rat killer, to prevent rodent infestations in dairy and beef farms, and as an organic herbicide. Dicalcium carbonate is used in the manufacturing of a wide range of products. It is widely used as a dietary supplement in enriched flour, dog treats, breakfast cereals, and noodle products. Moreover, in some pharmaceutical preparations, dicalcium phosphate is used as a tableting agent, including some products meant to eliminate the body odor.

Some dicalcium phosphate salts can be anhydrous, meaning the water has been removed from the salt form. Other calcium phosphates are termed dibasic, meaning they have two replaceable hydrogen atoms. Calcium is necessary for many normal functions of the body, especially bone formation and maintenance, and is used to prevent and to treat calcium deficiencies. Calcium intake in Japan is much less than that in Western countries. Therefore, there is an increasing demand for anhydrous dibasic calcium phosphate form various end-use industries, such as pharmaceutical, agriculture, and food and beverage industries.