tricalciumfosfaat

Tricalciumfosfaat, also known as calcium phosphate tribasic, is a chemical compound with the formula Ca3(PO4)2. It is a salt of calcium and the tribasic form of phosphoric acid. Tricalciumfosfaat occurs naturally in milk and is a major component of bone and teeth. Industrially, it is produced by the reaction of calcium hydroxide with phosphoric acid.

In its pure form, tricalciumfosfaat is a white, odorless powder. It is practically insoluble in water but soluble in dilute acids. The compound exists in several crystalline forms, with alpha and beta phases being the most common. Its properties make it useful in various applications.

One of its primary uses is as a food additive, designated by the E number E341(iii). It functions as an anti-caking agent, helping to prevent powders from clumping, and as a nutritional supplement to increase calcium and phosphorus intake. It is commonly found in powdered sugar, dried milk, and other powdered food products.

Tricalciumfosfaat is also used in pharmaceuticals as an excipient, acting as a binder or filler in tablets. In medicine, it can be used to treat calcium and phosphate deficiencies. Furthermore, it has applications in the ceramics industry and as a polishing agent. Its biocompatibility and bone-like composition also make it a material of interest in bone grafting and tissue engineering.