Calcium Glycine: Product Description and Key Physical Characteristics

What is Calcium Glycine?

Calcium glycine brings together two key players in nutrition and chemistry: calcium, an essential mineral, and glycine, a simple amino acid. This compound steps in where calcium supplementation and easy absorption matter. It takes the shape of calcium salt of glycine, supported by clear molecular structure: C2H5NO2Ca, which translates to a molecular weight of about 129.09 g/mol. Instead of simply mixing two powders, calcium and glycine form a bond at the molecular level, allowing for better assimilation in biological systems. This bond opens up niche spaces in fields like food fortification, pharmaceuticals, and even veterinary sciences, where essential minerals get delivered in an efficient, bioavailable way.

Physical Form, Structure, and Appearance

Calcium glycine appears most often as a nearly white or off-white powder with a fine, free-flowing texture, though one may encounter it in forms such as small flakes, crystalline solids, or even pearly granules depending on production methods. In solution, the compound dissolves in water with modest efficiency, usually leaving clear or faintly cloudy liquids that reflect its purity and solubility properties. The specific density hovers near 1.8 g/cm³, placing it in a middle ground among salts for both storage stability and handling ease. Its solid and powdered forms make scooping, weighing, and blending straightforward in both laboratory and industrial settings.

Chemical Properties and Stability

With its stable nature under room temperature and atmospheric pressure, calcium glycine does not easily react with air or light. It resists decomposition until heated well beyond typical storage temperatures, showing good shelf stability. Its molecular structure ties calcium ions to glycine molecules by ionic and some covalent bonds, which enhances both nutrient absorption in the body and structural reliability for use in chemical synthesis or food manufacturing. Unlike some calcium salts, this one keeps a neutral to slightly alkaline pH in solution, so it rarely triggers unwanted side reactions in food or pharmaceutical mixtures. That sort of reliability in chemical reactivity holds value for anyone working in formulation development.

Specifications and Material Designation

Purity levels for food-grade or pharmaceutical applications typically reach above 98%, monitored stringently to exclude heavy metals and contaminants. Manufacturers often list a specific calcium content, based on dry matter, between 20% and 23%, and glycine content near 40%. This precise tracking enables proper use in regulated industries. Appearance, pH (measured in water), particle size (around 40 µm for most powdered grades), moisture content (below 1%), and bulk density (usually between 0.65 and 0.8 g/cm³) also get specified. The HS Code, following global customs systems, usually appears as 2922499990, reflecting its role as an amino acid derivative, not a bulk calcium salt.

Raw Material Origin and Quality Controls

Calcium glycine’s source lies with pharmaceutical-grade glycine derived from microbial fermentation or direct synthesis, combined with high-purity calcium carbonate or calcium oxide. Processing steps include precise neutralization, crystallization, separation, and drying. Rigorous controls track every step, checking for compliance with industry standards set by FCC, USP, or food safety authorities. Quality managers in this industry place strong emphasis on not only chemical purity but also traceability and documentation. Practical experience shows end-users value clear certificates of analysis and batch documentation, especially where supplements or food fortification formulas reach large populations.

Safety, Hazards, and Transport

Calcium glycine, in quantity, poses low risk compared to other mineral additives. Handling recommendations often reflect basic chemical safety: avoid inhaling fine dust, use gloves and eye shields if processing large amounts, and keep containers dry and closed. Eye or respiratory irritation may occur with mishandling, but toxicity remains very low by oral or dermal contact. Regulatory bodies classify it as non-hazardous under normal use, transporting it as a non-hazardous chemical for both air and sea freight. Material safety data sheets reflect this low hazard level, but trained staff still handle raw material following best laboratory and industrial safety practices. In case of accidental spills, normal cleaning with water and sweeping suffices—an advantage over more caustic calcium compounds.

Uses in Food, Pharmaceutical, and Chemical Industries

The real-world importance of calcium glycine springs from its targeted bioavailability. Standard calcium supplements often fail to absorb well, especially for people with certain digestive conditions, whereas amino acid chelates like calcium glycine tend to offer improved uptake through the intestines. This feature draws attention from nutraceutical producers aiming to make enriched foods, dietary supplements, and even medical nutrition for infants, the elderly, or those on restrictive diets. Pharmaceutical developers lean toward this compound to craft formulations with predictable and stable dosing. In the food industry, clear solubility in water and neutral taste make it a candidate for beverages, nutrition bars, and powdered meal replacements.

Environmental Impact and Disposal

Most calcium glycine, including production byproducts, degrades easily in wastewater treatment and does not persist in soils. Its mineral and amino acid origins support a benign environmental profile, with biodegradability high compared to synthetic chemical additives. Regulatory review of new manufacturing sites still checks for waste minimization and compliance with effluent rules. Disposal follows ordinary protocols for non-hazardous chemicals: landfills or dilution in aqueous systems. Environmental managers see this as a net positive in product selection, especially with pressure mounting to select ingredients that offer both nutritional and ecological benefits.

Looking Forward: Challenges and Possibilities

Development in this sector faces questions about cost, scalability, and regulatory harmonization globally. Sourcing consistent quality glycine and calcium matters for final-product reliability. Some specialty customers pay more for documented non-GMO origins, tightly audited supply chains, and certifications for allergen-free status. Advances in manufacturing sit close to process optimization, reducing waste streams, and broadening possible applications beyond food and pharma to new roles in animal feed, agriculture, or technical chemistry. The ongoing need to balance purity, cost, and regulatory compliance shapes industry dialogue and future product design.