Calcium propionate is the calcium salt of propionic acid. Another commonly used name for calcium propionate is calcium propanoate. Propionic acid is a natural acid present in small quantities in many foods. In fermented foods however, propionic acid can be present in high concentrations because it is produced by fermentation bacteria. Also the bacteria in the large intestine produce propionic acid. The propionate (IUPAC name propanoate) ion is C2H5COO-(propionic acid minus one hydrogen ion). A propionate or propanoate compound is a salt or ester of propionic acid. USES AND APPLICATION Calcium propionate is used as preservative or antimicrobial, mainly against fungi. Typical usage levels are at 0.1-0.4%. Calcium propionate is effective at neutral pH. Calcium propionate has a beneficial side effect in breads. Calcium ions are necessary for the enzyme ?-amylase to break down the starches in bread, making them available for the yeast top grow, and improving the texture of the bread. If enough of the amylose portion of starch is converted into sugar, retrogradion of bread is slowed down or prevented. There is no use limit give in food use besides GMP, but cost and off flavors will limit the amount of calcium propionate used. As a food additive, it is listed as E number 282 in the Codex Alimentarius. Calcium propionate is used as a preservative in a wide variety of products, including but not limited to bread, other bakery goods, processed meat, whey, and other dairy products. In agriculture, it is used, amongst other things, to prevent milk fever in cows and as a feed supplement Propionates prevent microbes from producing the energy they need, like benzoates do. However, unlike benzoates, propionates do not require an acidic environment. Calcium propionate is used in bakery products. Cheeses, confections and frostings, gelatins, puddings and fillings, and jams and jellies. As it can be produced by bacteria used in dairy production, no need for labeling might be required in some applications. Calcium propionate is affirmed as GRAS for use as an antimicrobial under 21 C.F.R. 184.122 1 with no limitation on the level of use other than current good manufacturing practice (gmp). There is no obvious self-limit on the level of use. In commercial practice the amount of calcium propionate used will be limited by cost and the possibility of imparting off-tastes or textures to food when gmp concentrations are exceeded. Calcium propionate is used in bakery products as a mold inhibitor. Mold contamination is considered a serious problem amongst bakers, and conditions commonly found in baking present near-optimal conditions for mold growth. Calcium propionate can be used: as an antimicrobial agent; at levels not exceeding current good manufacturing practice in baked goods, cheeses, confections and frostings, gelatins, puddings and fillings, and jams and jellies.