An important food additive, calcium silicate or E 552, is used to prevent the formation of lumps and to improve the texture of food. Silicates have been known to have a number of therapeutic uses in traditional medicine as well. In this blog post, you will learn about calcium silicate, how it is used in food products and what its benefits are for health.
What is calcium silicate?
Calcium silicate is a mineral compound with the chemical formula CaSiO3. The mineral form is known as wollastonite.
It is produced by heating calcium carbonate (limestone) or dolomite, which are both rich in calcium and silicon dioxide (CaCO3 and MgCO3 respectively), at high temperature to form a liquid slag which can then be cooled to make clinkers. These are then crushed, screened and washed to produce the final product.
Calcium silicate is used primarily in refractories as a binder for bricks and other ceramic products. It also has uses in construction materials such as high-temperature insulation products, where it has good thermal resistance properties when used as a coating on metal substrates.
How is calcium silicate made?
Calcium silicate is a ceramic compound that is used in manufacturing to improve the strength and durability of materials. It is also used in the production of cement and concrete, as well as glass and ceramics.
Calcium silicate can be made by combining calcium oxide, which is produced by heating limestone or chalk, with silicon dioxide. The resulting product is heated at high temperatures until it melts. This process creates a liquid that has a very high viscosity, which makes it easy to cast into various shapes for use in construction materials or other industrial processes.
Once the liquid has cooled down, it solidifies into hard crystals. The formation of these crystals depends on several factors including the temperature at which they were formed and the properties of the material being used to create them.
Properties
| Appearance | White to off-white free-flowing powder. |
| Other names |
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| CAS number | 1344-95-2 |
| Chemical formula | xCaO · ySiO2 · zH2O. Food grade meets the following requirements: |
| Solubility | Insoluble in water and ethanol. |
What is calcium silicate used for in food?
There are many uses for calcium silicate, but it is most widely used as a food additive. It is added to foods in order to improve texture and shelf life by preventing microbial growth and reducing moisture loss.
Calcium silicate is often used in deli meats, hot dogs and sausages because it acts as an anti-caking agent. This prevents the meat from sticking together when it is packaged or frozen. It can also be used to prevent mold growth on cheese, yogurt and other dairy products.
It is also added to breads, cakes and other baked goods in order to keep them fresh longer. Calcium silicate improves the shelf life of these foods by inhibiting mold growth.
Table Salts
It is easy for the crystals of table salt to dissolve, and the crystals will reform after absorbing moisture. Solidifying salts involves turning them from a loose, free-flowing state into a caking, lumping, or aggregation state. A caking prevention agent is usually added to keep the substance loose and fluid in order to avoid these caking results.
Some common anti-caking agents in table salts include silicon dioxide, calcium silicate, ammonium citrate, potassium ferrocyanide, iron tartrate, sodium ferrocyanide, potassium chloride, etc.
A salt additive, calcium silicate, can improve the agglomeration and fluidity of table salt. This material is loose and porous, with a high physical ability to absorb oil and water. The blocker adheres well to the surface of table salt, preventing water from absorbing from the outside, thereby preventing caking.
In the meantime, calcium silicate can reduce Van Der Waals forces between molecules, reducing the attraction between salt molecules and enhancing their flowability.
Supplements
As well as serving as an anticaking agent and carrier in supplements, it can also be used as a calcium and silicon supplement. Food supplements account for 91% of reported silicate use, according to EFSA.
Is calcium silicates safe to eat?
Calcium silicate is a compound that is used in food production. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers calcium silicate to be safe to eat, but there are some concerns about its safety.
Calcium silicate is a substance that is used in food production as a thickener and emulsifier. It can be found in a variety of foods including milk, cheese, yogurt, and ice cream. In addition to being used in the manufacturing process, calcium silicate has also been added to some foods as an ingredient.
The FDA considers calcium silicate to be safe for consumption. However, there have been concerns about its safety when ingested by infants who may have a higher risk of developing anemia from ingesting too much of this substance.
FDA
Generally recognized as safe (GRAS) when used as little as 2% in table salt and 5% in baking powder.
EFSA
As an authorised food additive, calcium silicate (E552) is listed in Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 under the heading “additives other than colours and sweeteners”.
Safety Re-evaluation in 2018
The EFSA reported in 2018, that calcium silicate absorption was very low and no evidence of genotoxicity or developmental toxicity was found. However, rats’ kidneys and livers accumulated silicon from calcium silicate. Because of the lack of reliable data on its subchronic and chronic toxicity, carcinogenicity, and reproductive toxicity, it cannot be assessed as a food additive.
Authorised Uses
These products may contain:
- Dried powdered foods
- Foods in tablet form and coated tablets
- Sliced or grated cheese, hard and semi-hard cheese
- Processed cheese
- Cheese products
- Table-top sweeteners in powder/tablets form
- Salt and salt substitutes
- Seasonings and condiments
- Dry cereals
- Food supplements available in solid form or liquid form
- Chewing gum
- Emulsifiers and colours
- Dry powdered emulsifiers/polyols/nutrients
UK Food Standards Agency
The item is categorized as “Others”
Food Standards Australia New Zealand
In Australia and New Zealand, the ingredient has the code number 552 and is approved for use.
JECFA
Function class: food additive and anticaking agent.
Acceptable daily intake: An ADI “not specific” standard was set for it and silicon dioxide in 1985, as well as for aluminium silicate, calcium aluminium silicate, and sodium aluminosilicate.
What’s the side effects of calcium silicate?
Caution is advised when taking calcium silicate, as it may cause side effects.
Common side effects include:
- Diarrhea. Diarrhea may occur from taking too much calcium silicate. This can lead to dehydration and other medical problems. If you have diarrhea, drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.
- Constipation. Constipation may also occur from taking too much calcium silicate, especially if you are not getting enough fiber in your diet or if you are not drinking enough fluids. Eating high-fiber foods and drinking plenty of water can help prevent constipation while taking this medication.
This medication may also cause other side effects such as headache, nausea, vomiting and dizziness; however, they are less common than those listed above.
Is it safe for pregnant?
Calcium silicate is a mineral that is found naturally in the earth. It is used in a wide variety of products, including cement and concrete, bricks, and glass.
If it has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), calcium silicate is considered safe for pregnant women. This is why you will see it listed on many toothpastes and dental products.
Calcium silicate is also used in some supplements to help protect against free radicals.
However, calcium silicate has been associated with a rare type of lung cancer called mesothelioma. This type of cancer can only be caused by exposure to asbestos fibers, not calcium silicate.
Where does calcium silicate come from?
Calcium silicate is a common mineral found in the earth’s crust. It is a silicate mineral with the chemical formula CaSiO3. Calcium silicate is often found in metamorphic rocks such as marble, gneiss and schist.
Calcium silicate is also known as “chalk” or “wax-stone”. When we think of chalk, we usually picture white chalkboard writing. But it can actually be found in many other colors, including black and green. It is mined from deposits located at depths between 20 and 50 meters below ground level.
What dissolves calcium silicate?
Calcium sulfate dissolves much more easily than calcium carbonate does, so if there’s a lot of sulfur dioxide gas around then acidic brooks may be full of calcium sulfate instead of calcium carbonate.
Calcium silicate is a common mineral in some building materials. It can be found in bricks, concrete and mortar. It is also used in some types of paint.
When calcium silicate is exposed to water or moisture, it will begin to dissolve. This can happen over time, or if there is a sudden increase in moisture (such as after a leak). The dissolution process releases carbon dioxide gas into the air.
Since calcium silicate dissolves when it comes in contact with moisture, it cannot be used for waterproofing purposes. However, it does have many other uses.
How much calcium silicate is in table salt?
Table salt is a combination of minerals, including sodium chloride and other trace elements.
These minerals are found naturally in the earth, but most table salt is mined from salt deposits. These deposits are formed when seawater evaporates, leaving behind minerals that have dried up into solid crystals.
Sodium chloride makes up about 40% of typical table salt, and calcium silicate makes up about 1% of typical table salt. Calcium silicate is often used as an antacid because it helps neutralize stomach acid. It’s also used as a food additive and in toothpaste.
Is calcium silicate soluble in water?
Calcium silicate, also known as calcium metasilicate and CaSiO3, is a compound that is used in a wide range of industrial processes. It is a white powder with a melting point of 1,971 degrees Fahrenheit (1,030 degrees Celsius). Calcium silicate is soluble in water and dissolves completely at concentrations between 1 to 4 percent.
Calcium Silicate Dissolution
Calcium silicate dissolves completely in water at concentrations ranging from 1 to 4 percent by mass. At higher concentrations, the solution becomes supersaturated. This means that it contains more calcium silicate than could be dissolved in equilibrium with the solid material at the same temperature and pressure conditions. As the solution cools, excess solid material crystallizes out of solution as crystals on the surface of the solution or within the liquid phase itself.
Is calcium silicate basic?
Calcium silicate is a general name for the chemical compounds Ca2SiO4, CaSiO3, and CaSi2O7. The dihydrate is known as metasilicate, while the anhydrous form is called orthosilicate. In nature, calcium silicate occurs in a large variety of minerals.
Calcium silicate is basic in water solution. The pH of calcium silicate solutions depends on the type of calcium silicate used and on its concentration in solution. At room temperature, solutions containing more than 30% by weight of CaSiO3 are basic (pH > 7). Solutions with less than 30% by weight are acidic (pH < 7). Calcium silicates have very low solubility in water; they do not dissolve easily even at elevated temperatures.
Is calcium silicate Ionic or covalent?
Calcium silicate is an ionic compound. An ionic bond is formed when an atom or molecule loses or gains one or more electrons. The resulting ions (charged particles) are attracted to each other by electrical forces. Ionic bonds are relatively strong, but are not as stable as covalent bonds.
Calcium silicate (CaSiO3) contains two types of ions: calcium and silicon. Calcium ions have a +2 charge, while silicon ions have a -4 charge. The negative charges on the silicon and positive charges on the calcium attract each other, forming an ionic bond that holds the compound together.
Is calcium silicate organic or inorganic?
Calcium silicate is an inorganic compound that is a mineral and one of the main ingredients of concrete. Calcium silicate hydrates are used as binders in cement and have been used for thousands of years as a cementing material. They are also used in paint, paper, toothpaste, rubber products and other industries. The three main forms of calcium silicate are:
- Hydrated calcium silicate — this form of calcium silicate is a hydrated mineral composed of calcium oxide and silicon dioxide. It is found in nature as the mineral tricalcium silicate (Ca3SiO5). When it reacts with water, it becomes hydrated calcium silicate.
- Calcium silicate hydrate — This form is also known as C-S-H or CSH. It can be produced by heating Portland cement at high temperatures (1,500 degrees Farenheit) until it turns into powdery metamorphic rock called ettringite. Ettringite has a very high density compared to Portland cement, which means it can withstand greater amounts of pressure when placed under stress.
- Calcium silicate hydride — This form is made by heating C-S-H with aluminum powder at temperatures above 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
Is calcium silicate waterproof?
Calcium silicate is a natural mineral that is used in the production of cement and concrete. It is also used in artificial stonework, especially in driveways and patios where it is mixed with sand to form a strong concrete mixture.
This material can be mixed with sand or other aggregates to create a durable concrete mix that can withstand heavy loads. It has been used for many years to make fire resistant materials and is commonly found in fireproof drywall or plasterboard.
Calcium silicate is not waterproof by itself but when mixed into mortar or concrete mixtures with water, it becomes waterproof. This means that there are two layers of protection against water penetration: one from the calcium silicate itself, and one from the cement which keeps everything together into a strong structure.
Where to buy calcium silicate?
Calcium silicate is a mineral that has a wide variety of uses. It is commonly used in construction materials to create high-strength concrete and mortar products. It can also be used in the production of insulation, tile, paint and paper.
Calcium silicate can be found naturally in rocks and soil, or it can be produced artificially by mixing calcium oxide with silicon dioxide at high temperatures. You may want to buy calcium silicate if you want to use it in one of these applications.
If you are looking for high quality calcium silicate products at reasonable prices, then you should consider buying from online platforms such as Alibaba.com, Amazon, Ebay, etc. These sites offer many different types of calcium silicate for sale at discounted prices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is calcium silicate Natural?
Calcium silicate is a mineral, also known as silicon dioxide. It is found in nature as the mineral tridymite. Calcium silicate is a compound of calcium, silicon and oxygen and has the chemical formula CaSiO3. It is made by heating sand with coal or coke at high temperature in a blast furnace.
Is calcium silicate Dairy Free?
Calcium silicate is dairy free, as it contains no milk protein or lactose. It may be used in non-dairy foods such as ice cream and cheese products because it does not contain casein or whey proteins.
Is calcium silicate Vegan?
Calcium silicate is not considered vegan because it usually contains animal bones or shells as part of its ingredients. However, some forms of calcium silicate are made without animal products and are therefore vegan-friendly.
Is calcium silicate Halal?
Yes, Calcium silicate does not contain any animal products or alcohol. Therefore, it is halal.
Is calcium silicate Kosher?
Calcium silicate is a mineral that is generally considered to be kosher. It is used in the manufacture of cement, roofing tiles and bricks.
Is calcium silicate Gluten Free?
Calcium silicate is not gluten-free. Calcium silicate is a combination of calcium and silicon, which are both gluten-containing ingredients.
Conclusion
Calcium silicate is a crystalline substance that is a blend of calcium oxide and silicon oxide. This compound is mainly used in the manufacturing process of some foods, beverages, dairy products, condiments, and even dietary supplements. In truth, dietary supplements containing calcium silicate are quite common these days. But perhaps you may be wondering if this supplement is any good and whether or not it works as advertised. The good news is that it does. Of course, you should also know that calcium silicate has its fair share of benefits too.
