Phosphate

Phosphate (CAS 14265-44-2) is the trivalent anion that forms the functional basis of a broad family of inorganic phosphate salts used across food processing, agriculture, water treatment, and pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Supplied commercially as sodium, potassium, calcium, and ammonium salt forms, it delivers pH buffering, chelation, and stabilization functions that are specified by grade and counterion depending on the application.

In food and beverage processing, phosphate salts regulate acidity, sequester metal ions that cause oxidative rancidity, and extend shelf life in meat, dairy, and bakery products.

Fertilizer and feed manufacturers rely on phosphate compounds as the primary source of bioavailable phosphorus for crop nutrition and animal diet supplementation for various livestock.

Water treatment operations use phosphate dosing to inhibit scale formation and corrosion in distribution pipelines and industrial cooling systems to maintain infrastructure integrity.

Pharmaceutical and nutraceutical formulators source specific phosphate salts as buffering agents in injectable solutions, oral dosage forms, and mineral supplement blends for patient health.

Phosphate is supplied through its salt derivatives, most commonly as powder, granule, or solution. Standard grades include food-grade (FCC), USP, Ph. Eur., and technical grade.

The appropriate specification is determined by the counterion and end-use sector. Buyers typically source by specifying both the cation and the phosphate ratio such as mono-, di-, or tribasic.