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Calcium sulfate is actually a very well-known and widespread substance, most commonly known as gypsum. The astringent properties of this product were initially appreciated by doctors, and only in the last century did it find application in the food industry as a food additive marked with the E516 mark.
How is calcium sulfate used in the manufacture of products? What are the consequences of its use? Where else is this supplement used? All this can be found by reading the following article.
Calcium sulfate properties and main characteristics
Other names of such a food additive include: gypsum, calcium sulfate, anhydrite, selenite, Calcium sulfate, E516. In French, its name sounds like sulfate de calcium, and in German – calcium sulfate.
This substance wonderfully combines the properties of a stabilizer and an emulsifier. In nature, there is also its analogue – calcium salt of sulfuric acid. In the natural environment, calcium sulfate is formed from dehydrated gypsum deposits, found in gypsum and selenite as a dihydrate. The hardness of tap water is directly related to the concentration of potassium sulfate in it.
On an industrial scale, such an additive is obtained by fusing potassium sulfate with calcium chloride. As a result of this reaction, a precipitate forms, which is calcium sulfate.
In appearance, this substance most of all resembles a white or slightly yellowish crystalline powder of a bitter-salty taste and odorless. Its chemical composition includes calcium sulfate and various impurities: fluorides, selenium and others. The molecular formula of a substance can be denoted as: CaSO4.
This food emulsifier is practically insoluble in water and absolutely insoluble in ethyl alcohol. However, it has good solubility in glycerin, acidic medium and ammonium salts.
This food supplement is a moisture absorbent. It is capable of absorbing up to seven percent of water from the total mass. Melts at very high temperatures, hygroscopic.
Main manufacturers and standard packaging of calcium sulfate
In the Russian Federation, such an additive is produced by only one enterprise, which is located in Udmurtia in the city of Glazov – the Chepetsky Mechanical Plant.
The main world leading producers of calcium sulfate are:
- Bassermann minerals GmbH & Co.KG, registered in Germany;
- corporation Dr. Paul Lohmann GmbH KG, also based in Germany;
- Polish company “Alwernia” Spółka Akcyjna.
The most important supplier of this substance to the world market is China. This prerogative is wholly owned by Foodchem International Corporation.
The most acceptable standard packages for such a substance are soft “big bag” containers, polypropylene bags, paper multi-layer bags, cardboard winding drums. In addition, the E516 food additive is preliminarily hermetically sealed in plastic bags.
Application in various fields
The most common areas of application of calcium sulfate are the food industry, medicine and the cosmetic industry.
In the field of food preparation, this food additive is used as an independent substance or in combination with other emulsifiers and stabilizers.
The high moisture-absorbing capacity of calcium sulfate ensures its wide application in drying mushrooms and vegetables, in the manufacture of various spices, milk, sauces and other products.
This food supplement is used for various purposes:
- to improve the structure of plant tissue, greater preservation of nutrients, as well as increase heat-resistant properties, it is used for canning tomatoes;
- to regulate the acidity in grape must used by French winemakers in the manufacture of wines;
- to improve the texture and quality of the clot, it is used to make tofu, homemade cheese and cottage cheese;
- to normalize the pH level in the malt mash in the manufacture of beer;
- as a nutrient for various microorganisms in the production of baker’s yeast;
- to increase the plasticity of the dough and its elasticity, improve the quality of flour and protect it from spoilage, it is used in the manufacture of bakery products;
- for binding components in the production of frozen fish products.
In addition, this substance is often used in dietetics as a substitute for salt.
In the medical field, calcium sulfate is used to make surgical fixing dressings. In the recent past, it was the only material used for dental impressions in dental practice.
Calcium sulfate is widely used in the cosmetic industry. It is used as one of the components for the preparation of alginate masks with seaweed.
The substance is diluted in water, applied to the face, and then removed in the same way as a rubber mask. Due to its plasticizing properties, calcium sulfate contributes to the rapid hardening of such a mask.
When calcium sulfate powder is combined with water, a viscous homogeneous substance is obtained, which is applied to the face and body, obtaining the so-called nourishing thermal mask.
After hardening, the resulting mixture tends to heat up, which contributes to a better opening of the pores and accelerate the penetration of the necessary substances into the skin cells. You can find this substance in decorative cosmetics as a matting component, as well as in scrubs, where it is popular as an abrasive.
Calcium sulfate is considered a universally permitted product, its maximum daily dose is not regulated.
Useful and harmful properties of the additive E516
Food supplement E516 is easily digestible and absolutely safe for the human body. Often it is used with a lack of calcium, for its speedy replenishment. However, it should be borne in mind that calcium can only be absorbed in company with other substances – especially vitamin D. Food products contain a small amount of such an additive.
Calcium sulfate, obtained by chemical synthesis, may contain a certain amount of impurities that can harm the body, especially when taken in excessive dosages.
Therefore, it is better not to abuse such a product. Moreover, an excess of calcium is also unsafe for human health, as well as its lack. As a result, this can lead to hypercalcemia, which will entail negative and unpleasant consequences.
In conclusion
Calcium sulfate is an absolutely safe food supplement for human health, and therefore its use even in the food industry is approved and allowed in all countries of the world.
Due to its stabilizing and emulsifying, as well as high moisture-absorbing properties, calcium sulfate is widely used in medicine and in the cosmetic industry.
Thanks to him, you can significantly increase the level of calcium in the body, but it should be used only in conjunction with vitamins, because in its pure form it is not absorbed by the human body.