Uses and Applications - Phosphate Forum of the Americas


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Food and Beverages

Finished Product	Ingredient	Phosphate Function
Baked Goods
Baking Powder	Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate 28, Monocalcium Phosphate	Acid-Base reaction with sodium bicarbonate to produce carbon dioxide (CO2)
Cakes, Mixes	Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Monocalcium Phosphate, Salp	Moderate action leavening; double action leavening
Cake Donuts	Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate 40, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate 43	Fast action Leavening
Refrigerated Dough	Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate 22	Heat activated leavening
Beverages
Colas	Phosphoric Acid	Acidulant
Chocolate Milk	Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate	Suspend cocoa
Dry Mixes	Tricalcium Phosphate	Prevent caking; clouding agent
Buttermilk	Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate, Disodium Phosphate	Maintain protein dispersion
Orange Juice	Tricalcium Phosphate	Calcium and Phosphorus fortification
Strawberry Flavor Milk	Tetrasodium Phosphate	Bind iron to maintain pink color
Cereals
Cooked Cereals	Disodium PhosphateTricalcium Phosphate	Decrease cooking time; Calcium and phosphorus fortification
Extruded, Dry Cereals	Disodium Phosphate, Trisodium Phosphate, Tricalcium Phosphate	Aid in the flow through extruder; calcium and phosphorus fortification
Cheese
Cottage Cheese	Phosphoric Acid	Direct set by acidification
Dips and Sauces	Disodium Phosphate, Trisodium Phosphate, Sodium Hexametaphosphate	Emuslifying Action
Imitation	Disodium Phosphate	Emulsifying Action
Cheese Slices	Disodium Phosphate, Trisodium Phosphate	Emulsifying Action
Starter Cultures	Disodium Phosphate, Dipotassium Phosphate	Inhibit Phage
Chip Dips	Disodium Phosphate, Sodium Hexametaphosphate, Sodium Tripolyphosphate	Maintain homogeneity
Baked Chips	Monocalcium Phosphate	Develop characteristic surface
Imitation Dairy Products
Non-dairy creamer	Dipotassium Phosphate	Buffer for smooth mixing into coffee
Frozen desserts
Whipped topping
Egg Products
Whole	Monosodium Phosphate, Monopotassium Phosphate	Color stability
Egg whites	Sodium Hexametaphosphate	Improve whipping, foam stability
Fruit
Tomatoes, berries	Monocalcium Phosphate	Maintain firmness when canned
Ice Cream
Hard, soft, imitation	Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate	Prevent churning or gritty texture development of fat
Meat Products
Ham, corned beef	Sodium Tripolyphosphate, Sodium Tripolyphosphate/Sodium Hexametaphosphate Blends	Moisture binding
Sausage, franks, bologna	Sodium Tripolyphosphate, Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate, Tetrapotassium PhosphateTetrapotassium Phosphate Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate	Emulsion development Reduced sodium Cure color development
Roast beef	Sodium Tripolyphosphate	Moisture binding
Pasta
Pasta products	Disodium Phosphate	Decrease cook time
Potatoes
Baked Potato Chips	Monocalcium Phosphate	Create the bubbles surface
French Fries, hash browns, potato flakes	Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate	Bind iron to inhibit iron induced blackening
Poultry Products
Poultry products	Sodium Tripolyphosphate; Sodium Tripolyphosphate/Sodium Hexametaphosphate Blends	Moisture binding
Carcass washes	Trisodium Phosphate	Remove Salmonella and Campylobacter (bacterial pathogens)
Dairy Gels
Puddings, instant cheesecakes	Monocalcium Phosphate, Disodium Phosphate, Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate	Salts to develop the thickened texture
Seafood
Shrimp	Sodium Tripolyphosphate	Mechanical peeling of shrimp
Canned Crab	Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate	Bind copper from blood to prevent blue discoloration
Canned Tuna	Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate	Adjust pH to prevent struvite formation (crystals that look like glass)
Surimi	Sodium Tripolyphosphate/Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate Blends	Cryoprotectant to protein

Pharmaceuticals & Cosmetics

Finished Product	Ingredient	Phosphate Function
Vitamins	Tricalcium Phosphate, Dimagnesium Phosphate	Calcium and phosphorus
Prescription and Over the Counter (OTC) Tablets	Dicalcium Phosphate, Tricalcium phosphate	Inert ingredient to fill and bind tablets
Toothpaste	Dicalcium Phosphate Dihydrate	Abrasive
Tooth Gels	Sodium Tripolyphosphate	Whitening agent
Tartar Control Gels and Pastes	Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate	Tartar control
Smoker’s Toothpolish	Tricalcium Phosphate	Abrasive to remove stain
Opthalmics	Mono- and Di- Sodium Phosphates	Buffers to maintain a given pH
Tube Feedings	Monopotassium Phosphate, Mono- and Di- sodium phosphates	Potassium and/or Sodium replacing ingredient
Intravenous Fluids	Monopotassium Phosphate	Potassium replacing electrolyte
Mouthwash	Sodium Tripolyphosphate, Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate, Sodium Hexametaphosphate	Tartar control ingredients
Cosmetics	Mono- and Di- sodium phosphates	Buffers
Effervescent Tablets	Monocalcium Phosphate, Monohydrate	Production of carbon dioxide (CO2) via acid-base reaction with sodium bicarbonate
Bath Crystals	Monosodium Phosphate, Sodium Hexametaphosphate	Control of pH

Other Important Uses

Finished Product	Ingredient	Phosphate Function
Antifreeze	Dipotassium Phosphate	Resistant to temperature extremes and buffer to maintain alkaline pH
Asphalt Modification	Polyphosphoric Acid	Modifies paving grade asphalt to meet performance requirements
Automatic Dishwashing Detergent	Sodium Tripolyphosphate	Softens water, suspends soil and serves as an anti-spotting agent
Boiler Water	Sodium or Potassium Tripolyphosphate; Sodium Hexametaphosphate; Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate	Prevent the build up of scale in boilers; remove scale that may have accumulated
Car Wash Detergent	Sodium Tripolyphosphate	Softens water, removes soils and keeps soil from redepositing
Fire Extinguishers	Mono- and Di- ammonium Phosphates	Fire retardant
Flat Panel Displays	Phosphoric Acid	Etchant and cleaner
Heavy Duty Cleaners	Trisodium Phosphates, Tetra- Sodium and Potassium Pyrophosphates, Sodium Potassium Pyrophosphate	Remove oils and greases
Industrial and Institutional Cleaners	Sodium Tripolyphosphate, Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate	Softens water, dissolves fats and oils and keeps them from redepositing
Integrated Circuitry	Phosphoric Acid	Etchant and cleaner
Latex Paint	Sodium Potassium Tripolyphosphate, Potassium Tripolyphosphate	Dispersing Agent
Milk Scale Removal	Phosphoric Acid	Dissolves calcium based milk scale on dairy processing equipment
Organic Synthesis	Polyphosphoric Acid	Production of phosphate esters and catalysts in organic reactions; Synthesis of dyes
Paint and Wall Cleaner	Trisodium Phosphate, Dodecahydrate	Removes oil, grease and soils
Metal Cleaning	Phosphoric Acid, Monosodium Phosphate	Remove grease and coatings prior to painting
Metal Finishing (Anodizing)	Phosphoric Acid	Creates bright, shiny finish to metal
Water Softening	Sodium HexametaphosphateSodium Tripolyphosphate	Bind Calcium and Magnesium
Water Treatment	Phosphoric AcidSodium Acid Pyrophosphate Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate	Form surface coating on pipes to prevent leaching of lead; sequester minerals as iron
Oil Drilling	Sodium Hexametaphosphate	Make drilling muds more flowable
Fertilizers	Monoammonium Phosphate; Diammonium Phosphate; Dipotassium Phosphate	Nutrients for plant growth
Citric Acid Fermentations	Dipotassium Phosphate	Growth factor
Cotton Processing	Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate	Bind iron and vanadium that hinder peroxide bleach
Synthetic Rubber	Tetrapotassium Pyrophosphate	Catalyst for butadiene and styrene
Styrofoam Production	Tricalcium Phosphate	Polymerization aid
Gypsum Wallboard	Sodium Trimetaphosphate	Firming of the composition board
Modified Starch	Sodium Tripolyphosphate; Sodium Trimetaphosphate	Produce starch mono- and di- esters in sealers and coatings
Paper Processing	Sodium Tripolyphosphate; Sodium Hexametaphosphate	Dispersants for coating loads, colorants and resins
Ceramics	Tricalcium Phosphate	Impart opalescent
Oven Proof Bakeware	Tricalcium Phosphate	Impart heat resistance
Photocopier Toner	Tricalcium Phosphate	Dispersing agent
Industrial Sodium Chloride	Tricalcium Phosphate	Anticaking agent
Refractory	Phosphoric Acid	Impart heat resistance for processing in the steel industry
Cement	Sodium Tripolyphosphate, Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate, Sodium Monofluorophosphate	Retard or delay the thickening of cement slurries especially when poured at great depths
Dyeing Wool	Diammonium Phosphate	Control of pH in dye bath to allow even penetration of dye through the wool

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Food and Beverages

Finished Product

Ingredient

Pharmaceuticals & Cosmetics

Other Important Uses

Finished Product

Ingredient