Dicalcium Phosphate (DCP)
Dicalcium phosphate (DCP), also known as calcium hydrogen phosphate, is a calcium phosphate compound with the chemical formula CaHPO₄.
This white, odorless powder serves as an essential ingredient across multiple industries, valued for its calcium and phosphorus content, bioavailability, and functional properties.
Available in both anhydrous and dihydrate forms, dicalcium phosphate has become indispensable in pharmaceutical, food, feed, and dental care applications.
Key Applications
Pharmaceutical and Nutritional Supplements:
Dicalcium phosphate is widely used as a dietary supplement to provide essential calcium and phosphorus, supporting bone health and metabolic functions. In tablet manufacturing, it serves as an excellent excipient and binding agent, helping to create stable, easily compressed tablets with good flow properties.
Dicalcium Phosphate in Toothpaste
In oral care products, dicalcium phosphate functions as a mild abrasive agent that effectively removes plaque and surface stains without damaging tooth enamel. Its gentle polishing action, combined with its ability to provide bioavailable calcium that may support enamel remineralization, makes it a preferred ingredient in many toothpaste formulations. Dicalcium phosphate dihydrate is particularly common in dental care products due to its optimal particle size and compatibility with fluoride compounds.
Food Grade Dicalcium Phosphate
Food grade DCP serves multiple functions in the food industry. It acts as a leavening agent in baked goods, a mineral fortification source in cereals and flour, an anti-caking agent in powdered products, and a pH regulator. This grade meets strict purity standards set by food safety authorities and is commonly found in nutritional beverages, breakfast cereals, and processed foods designed to boost calcium and phosphorus intake.
Feed Grade Dicalcium Phosphate
Feed grade dicalcium phosphate is one of the most important mineral supplements in animal nutrition, particularly for poultry, swine, and cattle. It provides essential calcium and phosphorus in optimal ratios for bone development, eggshell formation, milk production, and overall animal health. This grade supports improved feed conversion rates and animal growth performance while being cost-effective for large-scale livestock operations.
Quality Standards
Each grade of dicalcium phosphate is manufactured to meet specific industry standards. Food grade must comply with FCC (Food Chemicals Codex) or E341(ii) specifications, feed grade follows AAFCO or regional feed regulations, and toothpaste-grade DCP meets pharmaceutical and cosmetic standards for purity and particle size distribution.
Dicalcium phosphate’s versatility, safety profile, and nutritional value continue to make it an essential ingredient across diverse industries worldwide.
Dicalcium Phosphate (DCP)
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Product Name | Dicalcium Phosphate |
| Chemical Formula | CaHPO₄·2H₂O |
| Molecular Weight | 172.1 |
| Available Grades | Toothpaste Grade / Food Grade / Feed Grade |
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