The Many Ways Phosphoric Acid is Used in Food Production

Phosphoric acid, also known as orthophosphoric acid, is a weak acid with a sour flavor but no odor or color. It is viscous when sold in liquid form and crystalline as a solid. Although it is sought after in many industries, phosphoric acid has a variety of uses in food and beverage production. Bell Chem, your food ingredient supplier, shares many methods phosphoric acid improves the foods we consume.

Improves Food Quality

As a weak acid, phosphoric acid is often added to amend pH levels to improve product properties. It also makes products last longer. Bacteria and mold thrive in sugary foods and beverages. Phosphoric acid inhibits microbial growth, which increases shelf life. When added to processed meat (luncheon meats, sausage, bacon, et cetera), phosphoric acid stabilizes the texture of processed meats and increases shelf life.

Additive

A list of ingredients on a package may show dicalcium phosphate, hexametaphosphate, sodium phosphate, or tricalcium phosphate. All these additives are derived from phosphoric acid plus other chemicals or ingredients.

Flavor Enhancer

In dark carbonated beverages (clear sodas tend to rely on citric acid) and jams, phosphoric acid accentuates a product’s sharp, tangy taste because of its acidity and fruity flavor. 

Nutrient

Phosphoric acid acts as a food source for yeast, and is often employed as an ingredient to leaven baked goods. Baking soda plus phosphoric acid and a second acid create baking powder. This nutrient is also helpful in alcoholic beverages. As wine is aged, phosphoric acid feeds yeast as it quells bacterial growth.

Protein Modifier

Especially in dairy products, phosphoric acid salts chemically modifies the protein structure increasing the likelihood of coagulation. Examples include cream cheese, hard cheese and buttermilk. The cheese industry has determined that phosphoric acid outstrips most other acids in its ability to firm hard cheeses. This additive is also used in foods and beverages touting high protein levels, which generally contain whey, a basic chemical. As a weak acid, phosphoric acid balances the pH of the product while enhancing flavor.

Bell Chem is your food ingredient supplier based in Longwood, FL (just north of Orlando) with hundreds of products stocked in their 50,000+ square-foot warehouse, including phosphoric acid. You can expect the highest quality products, expedited shipping options for maximum efficiency, and unrivaled personalized customer service. Let our knowledgeable and friendly customer service representatives and accounting staff personalize all your needs by either calling 407-339-BELL (2355) or by sending us an online message.

Utilizing Phosphoric Acid

Phosphoric acid is a colorless, odorless, viscous, non-volatile liquid also known as H3PO4, orthophosphoric acid, or phosphoric (V) acid, that finds uses in many industries. Bell Chem carries several strengths of phosphoric acid to suit your industry’s needs, whether it is cleaning, pharmaceutical, food, and beverage, or agriculture. 

Agriculture
Between 80% and 90% of all phosphoric acid produced eventually becomes fertilizer. Most commercial fertilizers are a combination of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium (NPK). Phosphorous is also added in cattle, pig, and poultry feed for flavor. 

Cleaner
Phosphoric acid degreases, de-grimes, and removes mineral deposits and hard water stains. Detergents often contain phosphoric acid to treat water and metals since phosphoric acid adheres to metals, flocculating them so they sink to the base of the container. Phosphoric acid is also an oxidizer, ideal for cleaning. Phosphoric acid reacts with rust to discolor ferric oxide into ferric phosphate, a simple-to-remove black compound.

Food and Beverage
As a food additive, phosphoric acid regulates the pH of processed meats and cheeses, cereal bars, and jams and jellies. Beverages find phosphoric acid an excellent acidulant to stave off the growth of bacteria and fungi. Many companies also add phosphoric acid to drinks as a flavor enhancer. 

Fuel Cells
Phosphoric acid fuel cells (PAFCs) were the first generation of marketable fuel cells. Phosphoric acid was used as PAFCs’ electrolyte to catalyze the reaction.  

Health and Beauty
Phosphoric acid combines quickly with metals to form phosphoric acid salts. These salts act as buffers to control the pH of skincare and cosmetic products. When many products are stored for an extended period, they may become overly acidic or basic. Phosphoric acid buffers prevent this, thereby lengthening the product’s shelf life.

Pharmaceutical
Phosphoric acid’s use as an etching solution in dentistry is renowned. When patients have their teeth cleaned, phosphoric acid is the chemical of choice and is often an ingredient in toothpaste, mouthwash, and teeth whiteners. Many anti-nausea medicines also contain phosphoric acid, which delays the stomach’s smooth muscle contractions, thereby relieving emesis.

Bell Chem is based in Longwood, FL (just north of Orlando) with hundreds of products stocked in their 50,000+ square-foot warehouse, including phosphoric acid. You can expect the highest quality products, expedited shipping options for maximum efficiency, and unrivaled personalized customer service. Let our knowledgeable and friendly customer service representatives and accounting staff personalize all your needs by either calling 407-339-BELL (2355) or by sending us an online message.

Phosphoric acid 85%

Phosphoric acid (H3PO4) naturally occurs as a white solid or a colorless, viscous (thick) liquid and is derived from phosphate rock.  The percentage – in this case, 85% - is determined by how much of this thick liquid or solid is added to one liter of water; hence “phosphoric acid 85%” signifies a mixture of 15% water and 85% phosphoric acid. Phosphoric acid 85% has a wide range of uses for the chemical industry, including

food additives

• phosphoric acid is the only acid used in colas since its “bite” is complementary to the cola flavor

• phosphoric acid is added to jams and jellies to enhance preservative properties and jelly clarity

• the weakly acidic salt of phosphoric acid (NaH2PO) is combined with sodium bicarbonate to create baking soda

metal cleaning and rust removal

chemical industries

• catalyzes the “setting” of resins

dental practice

• removes plaque, and

orthodontic applications

• cleans teeth and abrades tooth surfaces before dental appliances are inserted.

Because phosphoric acid 85% has a pH below 7, it carries acidic characteristics, such as corrosive behaviors and/or bitter taste.  Examples of the corrosive behaviors include metal and dental cleaning, while the bitter taste is most obviously noted in cola beverages.  Knowing these properties, how is phosphoric acid able to pull off the added responsibility of improving the shelf life of jelly? Along with its catalytic properties, which would cause corrosion or cleansing properties, phosphoric acid is also dehydrating – it causes water to leave a system.  Since water contributes to shortened shelf life when it lurks within a product, adding phosphoric acid elongates the storage time of many foods.  Realizing this property, along with the fact that phosphoric acid 85% is a stable chemical that does not react violently; it is obvious why phosphoric acid is widely utilized in such a vast array of applications.

As a leading chemical supply company in Orlando, Bell Chem offers fast delivery of hundreds of chemical products including sodium glucoheptonate. With several seaports located within a few short hours, our Florida chemical supply company is positioned as the “go to” supplier on a national and international level. To learn more about our products, call Bell Chem today at 407-339-2355.