Calcium lactate

Calcium lactate is a white crystalline salt. It is consisting of two lactate anions for each calcium cation. It forms several hydrates, the most common being the pentahydrate. Calcium lactate is used in medicine, mainly to treat calcium deficiencies. It is also used as a food additive with E number of E327. Calcium lactate can be prepared by the reaction of lactic acid with calcium carbonate or calcium hydroxide. Calcium lactate is used in medicine as an antacid. The compound is also found in some mouth washes and toothpaste as an anti-tartar agent. Calcium lactate is also known as cheese lactate because it coagulates milk, making the chhena used in the production of paneer cheese. Chhena is also used to make various sweets and other milk proteins. It may be added to animal rations as a source of calcium. What is more Calcium lactate has been considered as a coagulant for removing suspended solids from water, as a renewable, non-toxic, and biodegradable alternative to aluminum chloride.