People didn’t start out thinking calcium phosphates would end up so firmly rooted in medicine and food science. The search for a safe, neutral filler for tablets and a reliable mineral supplement goes back more than 150 years. Even before official pharmacopoeias published monographs, apothecaries found that certain naturally-occurring phosphates blended with other ingredients and didn’t break down easily on the shelf. Chemists studied bones, rocks, and soils, refining the process every decade. Standards evolved from British Pharmacopoeia (BP) roots, then followed the European Pharmacopoeia (EP), and eventually the United States Pharmacopoeia (USP). Today’s pharma players look for clear certifications, traceable raw materials, and documentation. Historical demand, grounded in trust and trials dating back to the 1800s, pushed this mineral compound into modern biotechnology and industrial pharmacy.
Anhydrous Calcium Hydrogen Phosphate plays a major role in pharmaceutical manufacturing. Its chemical formula, CaHPO₄, points to a simple combination of calcium, hydrogen, and phosphate. It delivers a stable, white crystalline powder with minimal moisture. Manufacturers bank on it for consistent particle size and easy processing, especially in tablet pressing and capsule filling. Calcium content runs high by mass, making it a straightforward source of this essential mineral. Producers focus hard on purity, reducing heavy metals to tiny levels and keeping microbiological counts below global thresholds so that tablets and supplements meet international safety rules every time.
The physical form comes as a tasteless, almost odorless powder. Anhydrous means “without water,” so it remains dry and free-flowing even after months in storage, unlike its hydrated cousins that may clump in humid weather. Chemically, it hardly reacts at room temperature or with gentle moisture. Its solubility in water stays extremely low. Acidic stomach conditions or strong acids prompt the solid to break apart, releasing phosphate ions and free calcium ions—both needed for basic nutrition and biological functions. The density and specific surface area shape the powder’s compressibility, which drives tablet hardness and drug release. Stability, resistance to atmospheric moisture, and non-reactive behavior with other active drugs ensure it works for a wide range of solid oral dose forms.
Pharmaceutical quality means sticking to exact numbers. Calcium content usually stays within narrow margins, such as 29-31 percent by weight. Trace element limits must meet national and regional standards for cadmium, lead, arsenic, and mercury—often at levels so tiny they require special detection methods. Packaging must protect from moisture, sunlight, and contamination. Regulatory agencies insist on clear batch labels: product name, mass, source lot, production date, best-before, supplier, purity grade, and all international identifiers like CAS number, EC number, and batch-specific analysis. Good labeling and tight batch control keep cross-contamination in check.
Producers create pharma-grade anhydrous calcium hydrogen phosphate by reacting calcium salts like calcium chloride or calcium carbonate with ortho-phosphoric acid under controlled conditions. Large reactors maintain tight control over pH and temperature to yield pure, dry CaHPO₄. Filtering, washing, and direct drying at moderate heat strip away by-products and lingering water. The resulting powder is milled, sifted, and sometimes surface-treated to help meet tough standards for powder flow and compressibility. Advanced plants use stainless steel and food-safe materials in every contact area to prevent trace impurity build-up.
Once inside the body or under acidic industrial processing conditions, anhydrous calcium hydrogen phosphate dissolves, giving up its calcium and phosphate components. In the lab, mixing with strong acids or bases pushes the equilibrium, letting chemists fine-tune the phosphate form (mono-, di-, or tri-basic). Gentle heating or combination with other salts can transform this material into other useful phosphates, including hydroxyapatite, a key ingredient in bone-repair materials. Small changes to the manufacturing process change the crystal size or surface reactivity, letting formulators adjust how a tablet dissolves or how nutrients become available.
You’ll spot this compound under different names: Calcium hydrogen phosphate anhydrous, dibasic calcium phosphate anhydrous, DCP-A, and the raw chemical’s registry numbers like CAS 7757-93-9 in technical documents. In the trade, older product catalogs might reference “phosphate of lime” or run under proprietary names owned by major chemical companies, but the international pharmacy and food codes always link back to the same molecular structure. Drug formularies and supplement databases reference the monograph-listed names to support consistency across languages and jurisdictions.
Workplace safety for this material stays fairly straightforward. Dust control matters most in large-scale handling. Operators don disposable gloves, dust masks, and goggles. Equipment like explosion-proof dust collectors, HEPA filters, and electrostatic charge prevention help keep the fine powder off hands and out of the air. Storage means cool, dry rooms, sealed in original packaging. Safety data sheets spell out exactly which first-aid steps to take if a worker gets the powder in their eyes or ingests a large amount. Facilities check that fire safety and spill response guidelines match industry best practice, even though calcium phosphates rarely fuel fires or generate toxic fumes. Waste disposal rules fall under general mineral and phosphate-guided regulations for each region.
Broad use in the pharmaceutical industry stands out. It fills space in tablets, blends with active ingredients, absorbs punch pressure, and prevents caking in supplement powders. Food manufacturers turn to it for mineral fortification and as a flow aid in powdered mixes. Dentists and surgeons use its chemically similar cousins to re-mineralize enamel and help bones grow. Research labs choose it for controlled release studies, studying how it releases nutrients and active drugs under different temperatures and digestive conditions. Beyond medicine, certain technical grades end up in animal feed, paint, ceramics, cleaners, and even fertilizers, though the highest purity forms always stay reserved for direct human use.
R&D teams keep searching for ways to fine-tune particle size and porosity, aiming for tablets that break apart just right in the stomach. Controlled doping with trace nutrients, or blending with other excipients, opens new possibilities for time-release drugs. Biotechnologists have taken inspiration from the body’s natural use of calcium phosphates, growing engineered bone scaffolds for implant research. Researchers look closely at digestibility, mineral absorption, and the interactions with other common excipients. New patents keep emerging for modified grades and blends that increase performance or cut down on manufacturing costs, driving a long pipeline of process improvements.
Human and animal studies have shown that calcium phosphates, in moderate doses, rarely trigger toxic side effects. The body has evolved ways to handle the intake—excess gets flushed out. Research does highlight the importance of tightly controlling impurities, especially heavy metals, to prevent chronic exposure problems. Regulatory limits, backed by decades of chronic and acute toxicity data, keep intake levels well below any known harmful thresholds. Scientists evaluate each lot for insoluble residues and potential trace contaminants, with more advanced screening methods rolled out as public health expectations rise. Long-term animal studies (even at high exposure) did not show reproductive toxicity or strong allergenic potential, supporting continued pharmaceutical use.
Looking forward, shifts in consumer health, drug delivery, and personalized medicine create more detailed requirements for mineral-based excipients. Advanced analytics promise to lock down even tighter control of trace contaminants. Novel tablet engineering aims for smart excipients that react to specific pH or nutrient needs, driven by better molecular understanding. The dietary supplement boom and aging populations worldwide boost the call for high-purity minerals. Research on alternative manufacturing routes, like eco-friendly recovery from waste or scaled-up biotech production, runs alongside the push for supply chain independence and tighter environmental controls. The compound’s long track record, plus constant innovation, keeps anhydrous calcium hydrogen phosphate relevant for old-school pharmacists and high-tech drug designers alike.
In the world of medicine, small details affect big outcomes. Anhydrous calcium hydrogen phosphate—often known by its BP, EP, and USP Pharma Grade markers—plays a key part in the everyday lives of both patients and manufacturers. This far-from-flashy compound lands in countless tablet and capsule recipes for a simple reason: it does its job. Its main purpose is to act as a filler, binding and supporting other ingredients. Tablets stay firm, release accurately, and last longer on shelves because of its presence. Beyond its mechanical strengths, it brings a dependable source of calcium, supporting the human body's mineral intake, especially for those unable to absorb enough through food.
People at risk of calcium deficiencies, including older adults and those with specific health concerns, rely on it for treatment plans. One study published in Osteoporosis International points to calcium supplements forming the front line of osteoporosis management. Whether in chewable tablets or easy-to-swallow pills, this material proves its worth in both stability and safety.
Public health demands certainty. Consistent quality, tight purity standards, and batch traceability form the backbone of regulatory compliance for makers in Europe, the U.S., and beyond. Pharmaceutical grade labels like BP, EP, and USP serve as a promise to doctors and patients. Cross-contamination can spark recalls, lawsuits, or worse. Contaminated excipients drew scrutiny in the past, including the 2008 case where tainted heparin reached global supplies with tragic impacts. The lesson is simple: rigorous controls save lives. Reputable sources and transparent records matter more than low prices.
Not every use involves direct treatment. Anhydrous calcium hydrogen phosphate finds its way into personal care too. Toothpaste blends use it for gentle abrasion, helping clean teeth while being kind to enamel. In antacid formulas, it cools indigestion without harsh aftereffects. Dog and cat foods benefit as well, especially for formulated diets where precise mineral levels prevent skeletal and dental problems.
Every ingredient has an origin story. Mining and refining the raw minerals behind this compound leaves an environmental footprint—like most other industrial processes. Advocates point out that responsible partnerships with suppliers, plus tight oversight by groups such as the FDA or EMA, can steer the sector toward cleaner operations. National programs also step up, with countries such as Germany incentivizing green chemistry and cleaner manufacturing. The pharmaceutical world has enough influence to push sourcing in a positive direction, with purchasing power trending toward greener suppliers.
In practice, safety and supply go hand-in-hand with advances in manufacturing. Regular audits, laboratory checks, and third-party certifications help shield the public against accidental harm. For research teams, clear paperwork and detailed test data speed up the process of bringing safe, reliable medicine to market. For patients, it brings peace of mind and more choices on the pharmacy shelf. Working together, everyone in the supply chain can help ensure that the benefits of this trusted ingredient reach those who need it, without taking unnecessary risks or shortcuts.
Long before any ingredient finds its way into a medicine, people weigh its origins. If pharmacists or QA managers can’t track down reliable, traceable sources, the rest of the process doesn’t matter. Pharmaceutical-grade materials come from facilities that respect strict rules. Manufacturers put their procedures under the microscope—GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) isn’t just a fancy phrase. It’s everyday reality. On-site audits, certificates of analysis, thorough batch records—these all prove a company works with the real deal.
A product’s label doesn’t earn trust on its own. Industry sets the bar with organizations like USP, Ph. Eur., and JP. Each brings its own set of standards for purity, identity, potency, and safety. These standards carry weight, and they do more than tick off regulatory boxes. I’ve seen plenty of projects stall because suppliers couldn’t show proof of compliance. Meeting a pharmacopeial monograph means running the ingredient through detailed tests—any missing documentation raises red flags. Reliable labs test for heavy metals, microbial contaminants, residual solvents, and other impurities, then lay out the numbers in black and white.
Anyone who’s worked in a pharmaceutical setting knows inspection goes both wide and deep. It’s not enough to say a product “passes” tests once. Consistency gets checked at every batch. Gaps in storage or temperature swings during transport can ruin materials meant for tableting or capsules. That’s not just a theoretical risk; I’ve seen the costs when a batch fails release and the investigation leads back to shortcuts in quality checks or logistics.
Regulators like the FDA want stories with receipts. Documentation needs detail: certificates showing every batch analysis, traceable supply chains, and even clear expiration dates. People working on NDAs (New Drug Applications) or ANDAs (Abbreviated NDAs) know that missing or spotty records destroy credibility. Quality standards also go further than lab numbers: Allergen information, compliance with ICH-Q3C guidelines for solvents, and detailed Safety Data Sheets tell professionals exactly what’s at stake.
As someone who saw the fallout when subpar quality made its way into early studies, I’ve learned that even one shortcut can compromise patient trust. Real lives sit on the other side of a quality decision. The best teams put “quality by design” into every step—auditing, storing, manufacturing, and even how labels get written. They ask tough questions: Has every risk been identified? Does every specification match both pharmacopeial and internal standards? Will this product behave the same, batch after batch?
Pharmaceutical development doesn’t forgive sloppiness. Strong quality management—backed by ISO certifications, third-party inspections, and transparent reporting—creates room for confidence throughout the supply chain. Firms that embrace rigorous process validation and supplier qualification avoid costly recalls and protect their reputation. If a product fits rigorous standards, shows clean analysis across all key markers, and comes from a trusted facility, it brings value beyond its chemical role. It protects patients, research timelines, and hard-earned trust in the industry.
It's surprising how much packaging plays into the way any technical grade product performs out in the real world. Somebody working with powders, pellets, or liquids every day starts to see firsthand what convenient, reliable packaging actually means. Most suppliers recognize that packaging needs to be sturdy and safe enough to stand up to long shipping and storage times. Common choices include double-layered Kraft paper sacks, tough woven polypropylene bags, high-density polyethylene drums, jugs with tight-fitting caps, and, on the larger end, bulk Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs) or big flexible totes.
Some plants still rely on the classic 25-kilogram sacks—easy to lug around, stack, and open without fuss. Others go straight to 1,000-liter IBCs for efficiency because moving bulk product cuts down on labor and packaging waste. Safety isn’t negotiable, especially for powders that clump or liquids that corrode. That’s where inner liners and anti-static barriers come into play—not just for safety but to cut down on contamination, too. All these choices shape the daily workflow and, over time, influence costs for companies both big and small.
Shelf life often looks simple on paper: most technical grades claim one to two years under “cool, dry conditions.” Take that with a grain of salt. The guy stacking sacks in a warehouse without climate control in mid-July knows firsthand what heat and humidity do to sensitive goods. The packaging only goes so far if the storage space can't hold a basic temperature or shield from direct sunlight.
Shelf life isn't just a technical label; it’s the difference between hitting product specs and facing costly rework or disposal. Moisture, air, and light sneak in wherever the packaging fails, leading to clumping, loss of flow, or outright chemical breakdown. A batch that sat a few extra months in outdoor storage can lose potency or cause headaches on the shop floor—yet all too often folks trust the “best before” date without testing.
Plenty of money and resources go down the drain because of damage during shipping or neglectful storage. Investing in thicker liners, better-sealed drums, or desiccant pouches isn’t just vendor upsell; it’s a move that pays back by reducing spoilage and keeping product quality steady. This isn’t a luxury for big buyers alone—smaller outfits benefit just as much from improved handling and packaging.
Nothing beats a clear label on every sack and drum, stating the batch number, manufacturing date, and handling advice. Companies relying on legible, accurate labels lose fewer materials and spend less time sorting through confusion or regulatory headaches. A focus on transparency and simple, consistent packaging raises quality standards across the board.
Some technical grades respond well to the basics—like stacking sacks off the floor on pallets, taping up seams before storage, or running periodic checks for clumping. Others demand storage under low humidity and moderate temperature. It’s not about chasing perfection, but about making sure that every bag or drum holds up to what the label promises, right up until the last day of its shelf life.
Reliability starts before anyone tears open a sack or drum. Companies with clear handling guidelines, solid packaging standards, and honest reporting on shelf life build trust with every shipment. Staying honest about real storage conditions and using practical safeguards extends shelf life, keeps inventories fresh, and cuts waste—a win for manufacturers, warehouses, and end users alike.
Anhydrous calcium hydrogen phosphate often sits on shelves in labs, warehouses, sometimes even at feed mills. Folks don’t always respect its needs. Someone new working the floor may grab a bag and toss it onto a pallet next to chemicals that should keep their distance. Fine powder one day, caked lump the next. Moisture is the big enemy. Let it slip in, and the powder clumps, working its way into cracks or sticking to scoops. I’ve seen a bag left open on a muggy day, just waiting for condensation or even a leaked pipe overhead. Doesn’t take a scientist to spot what happens after that: wasted product, extra cleanup, and time lost.
Stable storage starts with a dry, cool space. Bags always need to stay shut tight, even if folks think they’ll be right back for another scoop. Tubs or containers with close-fitting lids add security. Sometimes people stack bags near windows, thinking they’re saving time or space. Direct sunlight can bump up the temperature enough to shift the product’s texture over months. Light will break down other chemicals, sure, but it can warp expectations with this powder too—especially if there’s a slight tint to the bags. Better to trust a climate that keeps temperatures steady and skips dramatic swings.
I once worked with a facility manager who kept an open jar of those little silica gel packets near the bins just as a precaution. Made a small difference. Every scoop back into a container pushed air—and that brought in more moisture. Little habits help stretch the shelf life and keep the powder flowing smoothly through feeders or blenders. Gloves and masks protect skin and lungs, not because it burns or chokes right away, but breathing dust every day adds up. Even after decades, no one enjoys a dry throat or itchy eyes when something as basic as a well-fitting mask can spare you the trouble.
The big picture might seem simple: separate from acids, stay dry, protect from heat. Cross-contamination creeps in with carelessness. A stray spill from an acid on a neighboring pallet can cause a reaction. Not dramatic enough to make headlines, maybe, but reasons for discipline stack up over years. Tracing quality dips often leads back to a forgotten batch or poor storage.
Industry and regulatory rules exist for a reason. Material safety data sheets often outline essentials: store in dry, well-ventilated spots, away from incompatible substances. I find the best guidance comes from folks who have messed up before. You only misplace a pallet near an open loading dock once before damp wind reminds you to stay sharper. Talking with warehouse staff or production techs often teaches more than a chart on the wall. They spot leaks, prevent shorts, and know which days bring the worst humidity. Everyone involved should know where the powder lives and which neighbors it avoids.
Investing in simple tools—like a hygrometer or a temperature alarm—prevents headaches. Clear labeling stops confusion in high-paced environments. Good signage means new staff don’t improvise. Periodic checks allow others to catch mistakes before product goes bad. Real safety and quality become habits, not just paperwork.
BP, EP, and USP monographs represent the backbone of pharmaceutical quality around the world. They don’t just offer vague guidance—they lay down measurable requirements. Every product listed in these pharmacopoeias has to meet established specifications for purity, strength, and identification. The pharmaceutical world—whether you work in R&D or the warehouse—relies heavily on these standards. Missing the mark isn’t just a bureaucratic hiccup. It breaks trust and interrupts entire supply chains.
A Certificate of Analysis (CoA) gives the facts in black and white. If you’re buying ingredients used in life-saving drugs, you don’t settle for a vague “yes, it’s compliant.” You want proof: batch numbers, testing methods, precise results. Regulators demand this, too. Without a current CoA, product shipment doesn’t leave the dock, and warehouses risk holding onto goods they can't use or sell.
In my own experience, audits pick up on missing or incomplete paperwork more than anything else. Failure to trace every batch back to its origin risks expensive recalls and damages years of credibility. People sometimes assume compliance until the day they face a surprise inspection or a failed test result. That moment costs a lot more than it ever would to demand documentation up front.
A published monograph in the BP, EP, or USP isn’t just a simple checklist. It spells out exact chemical standards and often multiple test methods. Some ingredients pass under one set of tests but not another. It matters whether your raw material is analyzed by HPLC or GC, or if the water content sits tightly within limits. Failing one parameter, even by a tiny margin, means that batch cannot claim compliance—even if all the rest looks fine.
Regulators offer little wiggle room on this. The FDA, MHRA, and EMA require up-to-date evidence for every batch. When suppliers don't provide current Certificates of Analysis or try to pass off expired testing, customers risk facing import bans or safety alerts. Restrictions like these ripple through the world, halting not just one product line but, sometimes, access to medicines that patients wait for.
Customers increasingly want not just CoAs but also method validation data, traceability to standards, and references to the original monographs. Digital systems let us track and archive paperwork more easily, but this doesn’t erase the responsibility to read and understand every line. Skipping due diligence here—trusting words instead of documents—doesn’t just hurt companies. It can put patients at risk.
Open conversations help fix documentation gaps. Some companies share test data proactively and invite questions about their sampling, test frequencies, and lab credentials. Others publish digital CoAs and traceability reports linked to every batch. These habits take more work up front, but they prevent future trouble. That’s the real cost-saving.
It pays to ask for fresh Certificates of Analysis every time and to verify the testing labs hold current accreditations. Cross-reference reported results with the latest version of the relevant monograph. Organize regular staff training sessions, so teams catch non-compliance before it reaches a customer. Build supplier relationships where transparency and accountability get prioritized over speed or price.
Meeting BP, EP, and USP standards should never feel like red tape. It’s the foundation for patient safety and the heartbeat of sustainable business. Every step toward better documentation pays back when someone’s health depends on what’s in the box.
Names | |
Preferred IUPAC name | Calcium hydrogen phosphate |
Other names |
Dibasic Calcium Phosphate Calcium Hydrogen Phosphate Dicalcium Phosphate Calcium Phosphate Dibasic DCP Phosphoric Acid, Calcium Salt (1:1) Calcium monohydrogen phosphate |
Pronunciation | /ænˈhaɪ.drəs ˈkæl.si.əm haɪˈdrɒ.dʒən ˈfɒs.feɪt/ |
Identifiers | |
CAS Number | 7757-93-9 |
Beilstein Reference | 1723902 |
ChEBI | CHEBI:43474 |
ChEMBL | CHEMBL1201531 |
ChemSpider | 10481901 |
DrugBank | DB01373 |
ECHA InfoCard | ECHA InfoCard: 03-2119980292-39-0000 |
EC Number | 231-826-1 |
Gmelin Reference | 35379 |
KEGG | C14393 |
MeSH | Calcium Phosphates |
PubChem CID | 24456 |
RTECS number | FF9335000 |
UNII | KFQ646L69E |
UN number | UN1849 |
CompTox Dashboard (EPA) | DTXSID1040645 |
Properties | |
Chemical formula | CaHPO4 |
Molar mass | 136.06 g/mol |
Appearance | White powder |
Odor | Odorless |
Density | 2.52 g/cm³ |
Solubility in water | Slightly soluble in water |
log P | -1.39 |
Vapor pressure | Negligible |
Acidity (pKa) | 6.6 |
Basicity (pKb) | pKb ≈ 11.95 |
Magnetic susceptibility (χ) | '-20.2 x 10⁻⁶ cgs units' |
Dipole moment | 0 D |
Thermochemistry | |
Std molar entropy (S⦵298) | 87.4 J·mol⁻¹·K⁻¹ |
Std enthalpy of formation (ΔfH⦵298) | −1457 kJ/mol |
Std enthalpy of combustion (ΔcH⦵298) | -2133 kJ/mol |
Pharmacology | |
ATC code | A12AA04 |
Hazards | |
Main hazards | May cause respiratory tract irritation. May cause eye irritation. May cause skin irritation. |
GHS labelling | GHS07, GHS Hazard statements: H319, GHS Precautionary statements: P264, P280, P305+P351+P338, P337+P313 |
Pictograms | GHS07 |
Signal word | Warning |
Hazard statements | Hazard statements: Not a hazardous substance or mixture according to Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008. |
Precautionary statements | P264, P270, P301+P312, P330, P501 |
NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | Health: 1, Flammability: 0, Instability: 0, Special: - |
Lethal dose or concentration | LD50 oral rat 10000 mg/kg |
LD50 (median dose) | Oral LD50 (rat): > 2,000 mg/kg |
NIOSH | MG3325000 |
PEL (Permissible) | 15 mg/m³ (total dust) TWA (OSHA PEL) |
REL (Recommended) | 10 mg/m³ |
Related compounds | |
Related compounds |
Dicalcium Phosphate Dihydrate Tricalcium Phosphate Monocalcium Phosphate Calcium Chloride Calcium Carbonate Calcium Sulfate Calcium Citrate |