Difference Between Sodium Propionate and Calcium Propionate

The key difference between sodium propionate and calcium propionate is that sodium propionate contains a sodium cation bound to the propionate anion, whereas calcium propionate contains a calcium cation bound to two propionate anions.

Sodium propionate and calcium propionate are ionic compounds containing a cation and an anion. These compounds are two different salts of propionic acid. More importantly, both these compounds are important as food preservatives.

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Sodium Propionate
3. What is Calcium Propionate
4. Similarities Between Sodium Propionate and Calcium Propionate
5. Side by Side Comparison – Sodium Propionate vs Calcium Propionate in Tabular Form
6. Summary

What is Sodium Propionate?

Sodium propionate or sodium propanoate is the sodium salt of propionic acid. The chemical formula of this compound is Na(C₂H₅COO). It occurs as a white crystalline solid that is deliquescent when exposed to the moist air. The molar mass of this compound is 96 g/mol. It appears as transparent crystals. Moreover, this substance has a faint acetic-butyric odour.

When considering the production of sodium propionate, we can produce it via the reaction between propionic acid and sodium carbonate. As an alternative, we can use sodium hydroxide instead of sodium carbonate.

There are few uses of sodium propionate – its major application is as a food preservative. The food labelling number for this compound is E 281. In bakery products, this substance is mainly used for mould inhibiting. It is an approved food additive in many countries of the world.

What is Calcium Propionate?

Calcium propionate or calcium propanoate is the calcium salt of propionic acid. The chemical formula of this compound is Ca(C₂H₅COO)₂. It appears as a white crystalline solid, and the molar mass of this compound is 186 g/mol. Calcium propionate is slightly soluble in water and alcohols such as methanol and ethanol. Moreover, this substance is insoluble in acetone and benzene. The crystal structure of this compound is monoclinic.

There are several uses of calcium propionate. It is mainly used as a food additive. We can list it as E 282. Further, it is an important food preservative. It is useful as a food additive in bread, bakery items, processed meat, whey, and most of the dairy products. Other than that, this substance is important in agriculture to prevent milk fever in cows, as a feed supplement, etc.

What are the Similarities Between Sodium Propionate and Calcium Propionate?

Sodium propionate and calcium propionate are two salts of propionic acid.
Both these compounds are important as food preservatives.

What is the Difference Between Sodium Propionate and Calcium Propionate?

The key difference between sodium propionate and calcium propionate is that sodium propionate contains a sodium cation bound to the propionate anion, whereas calcium propionate contains a calcium cation bound to two propionate anions. The chemical formula of sodium propionate is Na(C₂H₅COO), whereas the chemical formula of calcium propionate is Ca(C₂H₅COO)₂.

Moreover, sodium propionate can be produced via the reaction between propionic acid and sodium carbonate while calcium propionate is produced via the reaction between propionic acid and calcium carbonate. When considering the uses of sodium propionate, it is important as a food preservative, food additive, important in bakery products, especially for mould inhibiting. Calcium propionate is useful as a food additive in bread, bakery items, processed meat, whey, and most dairy products.

Below infographic summarizes the differences between sodium propionate and calcium propionate.

Summary – Sodium Propionate vs Calcium Propionate

Sodium propionate and calcium propionate are two different salts of propionic acid. The key difference between sodium propionate and calcium propionate is that sodium propionate contains a sodium cation bound to the propionate anion whereas calcium propionate contains a calcium cation bound to two propionate anions.

Reference:

1.“What Is Calcium Propionate and Is It Vegan?” Ingredi, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Sodium propanoate” By Edgar181 – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Calcium propanoate” By Edgar181 – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia