Calcium phosphate

Calcium phosphate is the name given to a family of minerals containing calcium ions (Ca²⁺) together with orthophosphates (PO₄^3-), metaphosphates or pyrophosphates (P₂O₇^4-) and occasionally hydrogen or hydroxide ions. Seventy percent of bone is made up of hydroxylapatite, a calcium phosphate mineral.

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Uses

For the production of phosphoric acid and fertilizers, for example in the Odda process. Overuse of certain forms of calcium phosphate can lead to nutrient-containing surface runoff and subsequent adverse effects upon receiving waters such as algal blooms and eutrophication.

Calcium phosphate is also a raising agent, with E number E341. It is also used in cheese products.

It is also used as a nutritional supplement. There is some debate about the different bioavailabilities of the different calcium salts.

It is used in a variety of dental products for remineralization.

Another practical application of the compound is its use in gene transfection of cells.^{[citation needed]} It is not too well understood, but the calcium phosphate precipitate and DNA form a complex that is thought to help the DNA enter the cell.

Calcium phosphate compounds

• Calcium dihydrogen phosphate, E341(i): Ca(H₂PO₄)₂
• Calcium hydrogen phosphate, E341(ii): CaHPO₄
• Tricalcium phosphate (or tricalcic phosphate), E341(iii): Ca₃(PO₄)₂

References