Definition:

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Mineraux®Calcium carbonate Health Benefits:

Calcium, an alkaline element, is an essential component of bones and teeth, playing a vital role in normal bone growth and development and maintaining bone health. Calcium deficiency primarily manifests as skeletal pathology. During childhood, it can lead to growth retardation, abnormal new bone structure, poor calcification, and skeletal deformation. Rickets are common in infants under two years old, particularly premature infants and twins. Osteoporosis, characterized by decreased bone mass (BMC) and bone density (BMD), is common in middle-aged and elderly individuals, increasing bone fragility and the risk of fractures. The China Residents' Nutrition and Chronic Disease Status Report highlights the prominent problem of unhealthy diets, with insufficient consumption of fruits, beans and soy products, and dairy products. This indicates that dietary calcium intake falls far short of recommended intakes. This is especially true for children and adolescents who are still growing. Calcium supplements can be used to supplement calcium.

Mineraux®Calcium carbonate, with a calcium content of up to 40%, is a widely used calcium source on the market. It is used as an additive in the food, dairy, and health supplement industries. Its absorption rate as a calcium supplement is as high as 39%, second only to calcium parahydroxybenzoate. Its high solubility in gastric acid makes it a versatile calcium supplement with diverse dosage forms and applications.

Particularities of Mineraux®Calcium carbonate:

Product Specifications:

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Product quality standards:

● BP, EP, USP, GB 1886.214, Food grade, In-house

▶Maintains bone and dental health

Mineraux®Calcium carbonate Applications:

Calcium is a major component of bones and teeth (approximately 99% of calcium in bones and approximately 90% of calcium in teeth is in the form of calcium hydroxyphosphate). The calcium supplemented by food-grade calcium carbonate directly contributes to the building and maintenance of bones and teeth.

■ Type

Mineraux®Calcium carbonate includes light calcium carbonate and heavy calcium carbonate. Although both contain CaCO3 as their core ingredient and meet food-grade safety standards, their production processes lead to significant differences in their physical and chemical properties, application scenarios, and costs. The essential difference between the two comes from the preparation method. Light calcium is "chemically synthesized" and heavy calcium is "physically crushed", which directly determines the differences in all subsequent properties.

Mineraux®Calcium carbonate is available in the following specification and contents:

☑  Mineraux®Light calcium carbonate 98%-100.5%

Mineraux®Calcium carbonate, with a calcium content of up to 40%, is a cost-effective calcium source. Its primary use is to supplement the natural calcium deficiency in foods and meet the body's calcium needs (e.g., for bone and dental health). Key factors in this application are absorption rate and dispersibility. Light calcium carbonate is preferred for applications requiring high absorption and fine texture. Light calcium carbonate has a fine particle size and good dispersibility, dissolving quickly in gastric acid. With an absorption rate of 30%-40%, it is suitable for foods requiring high calcium supplementation or a fine texture, such as infant formula, liquid calcium supplements, fortified dairy products, and high-calcium functional beverages. Heavy calcium carbonate has a low absorption rate (20%-30%) and is suitable for powdered/solid foods that require "basic calcium fortification" and have low absorption requirements, such as standard breakfast cereals and low-end nutritional powders. Heavy calcium carbonate can be used as a supplementary calcium source in combination with other nutrients, significantly reducing production costs.

Mineraux®Calcium carbonate can enhance the eating experience by adjusting the hardness, smoothness, and cohesiveness of foods. Key factors are particle uniformity and oil absorption. Light calcium carbonate, with its uniform particle size and high oil absorption, can absorb oils and synergize with colloids, making it suitable for delicate and chewy foods such as high-end candies, jellies/puddings, and high-end baked goods. Heavy calcium carbonate, with its coarse particle size, enhances dough extensibility and is suitable for popular noodle products and baked goods, such as flour and noodle products, standard biscuits/soda crackers, and industrialized steamed buns/noodles.

■ Production technology characteristics

Light calcium carbonate is generally produced by a chemical synthesis method (wet process). Limestone (CaCO3) is calcined at high temperature to produce calcium oxide (CaO, quicklime). The calcium oxide reacts with water to produce calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2, slaked lime emulsion). Carbon dioxide (CO2) is introduced into the emulsion to carbonize and precipitate calcium carbonate. This is then filtered, dried, and pulverized to obtain a fine powder. Alternatively, light calcium carbonate can be produced by mixing sodium carbonate and calcium chloride, followed by crystallization, precipitation, and drying. This method involves chemically reshaping the crystal structure and allows for precise control of particle size.

Heavy calcium carbonate is typically produced using a physical pulverization method (dry process). High-purity natural minerals (such as calcite, marble, and oyster shells) are directly crushed and heavy using equipment such as crushers and ball mills.

The powder is then graded (to control particle size) and cleaned (to remove heavy metals and impurities). This method relies on the high purity of the raw materials (for example, calcite can reach over 99% purity) and involves no chemical reactions, relying solely on physical processing.

Calcium is a signaling molecule essential for the proper functioning of nerves and muscles. Calcium supplemented with food-grade calcium carbonate helps maintain the physiological activity of nerves and muscles. Signaling between nerve cells relies on calcium channels. When nerves become excited, calcium ions enter the nerve endings, promoting the release of neurotransmitters (such as acetylcholine), ensuring signal transmission from the brain to various organs. Adequate calcium intake can prevent delayed nerve signal transmission and reduce problems such as numbness in the hands and feet and memory loss.

▶ Participates in nerve transmission and muscle contraction

Calcium is involved in many fundamental physiological processes in the human body and is an essential factor for maintaining life. Blood coagulation is a complex enzymatic reaction, in which calcium, as factor IV, is directly involved in platelet activation and fibrin production.

Insufficient calcium intake can lead to prolonged clotting time and persistent bleeding after minor injuries. Calcium ions are important intracellular "second messengers," regulating processes such as cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis.

They also participate in regulating enzyme activity (such as activating lipase and amylase, and promoting nutrient digestion). Adequate calcium ensures stable cellular function and reduces the risk of metabolic disorders.

▶ Regulates blood coagulation and cell function

■ Physicochemical properties

Differences in process result in completely different characteristics between light and heavy calcium carbonate in key indicators such as density, particle size, and dispersibility, which is the core basis for selecting application scenarios. Light calcium carbonate has a density of approximately 2.4-2.7g/cm3, a low bulk density (0.5-0.8g/cm3), and an extremely fine particle size, typically 0.1-10μm (can be reduced to nanoparticle size, such as 50-100nm, through process control). It also boasts high whiteness (typically ≥93%), uniform color, and a high oil absorption value (approximately 60-90g/100g). It also possesses excellent dispersibility, is easily soluble in acidic environments, and resists agglomeration.

Heavy calcium carbonate has a density of approximately 2.6-2.9g/cm3 and a high bulk density (1.2-1.6g/cm3). Its particle size is coarse, typically 1-100μm (depending on the grinding precision, coarse powder can reach over 100μm), and its particles are often angular. Its whiteness depends on the raw material (calcite can reach over 95% whiteness, while oyster shells are slightly lower), and is generally slightly lower than that of high-quality light calcium carbonate. It also has a low oil absorption value (approximately 20-40g/100g), poor dispersibility, and is prone to agglomeration. Its dissolution rate is slower than that of light calcium carbonate.

Physical and Chemical Properties:

☑  Mineraux®Heavy calcium carbonate 98%-100.5%

Chemistry name: Carbonic acid, calcium salt (1:1); Calcium carbonate (1:1)

CAS No.: 471-34-1

EINECS No.: 207-439-9

Chemical formula: CaCO3

Molecular mass: 100.09 g/mol

The core health benefits of Mineraux®Calcium carbonate stem from its properties as a high-purity calcium source. Calcium is an essential macronutrient for the human body and is involved in many key physiological functions. Food-grade calcium carbonate provides a highly effective source of calcium through food fortification or nutritional supplementation.