Calcium lactate is a chemical compound consisting of calcium and lactic acid. The phonetic transcription of this word in International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) is /ˈkælsiəm ˈlækteɪt/. The first syllable "cal" is pronounced as /kæl/ and the second syllable "ci" is pronounced as /si/. The "um" at the end is pronounced as /əm/. In "lactate," the "lac" is pronounced as /læk/ and the "tate" is pronounced as /teɪt/. This compound is commonly used as a food additive and dietary supplement.
Calcium lactate is a chemical compound that consists of calcium cations (Ca2+) and lactate anions (C3H5O3-). It is a white crystalline powder or granular solid that is soluble in water. The formula for calcium lactate is Ca(C3H5O3)2.
Calcium lactate is derived from the reaction of lactic acid, which is produced by fermentation of sugars, with calcium carbonate or calcium hydroxide. It is commonly used as a food additive and a dietary supplement due to its calcium content. It is often preferred over other forms of calcium supplements because of its high solubility and bioavailability.
As a food additive, calcium lactate is used as a leavening agent, stabilizer, firming agent, or thickener. It can be found in various dairy products, baked goods, candies, and beverages. In the pharmaceutical industry, calcium lactate is used in the formulation of antacids or as a source of calcium in nutritional supplements.
Calcium lactate is essential for numerous physiological functions in the human body. It plays a vital role in maintaining healthy bones and teeth, as well as aiding in blood clotting, muscle function, nerve transmission, and the regulation of enzyme activity. Calcium lactate is often recommended for individuals with calcium deficiencies, osteoporosis, or those who require supplemental calcium.
The term "calcium" derives from the Latin word "calx", meaning "lime" or "limestone". Limestone is primarily composed of various calcium compounds. The suffix "-ium" indicates that calcium is an element.
"Lactate" comes from the Latin word "lac", which means "milk". It refers to the salt or anion that is formed when lactic acid, a substance found in milk, combines with a base such as calcium hydroxide. The suffix "-ate" designates that it is a salt or ester of the acid.
Therefore, the term "calcium lactate" indicates the combination of the element calcium with the lactate anion formed from lactic acid.