Calcium phosphates is one of the principle mineral found
abundantly in nature in various forms. Calcium phosphates is formed form a
mixture of calcium and phosphorous. Calcium phosphates is an important constituent of
biological hard tissue found in significant quantity in bone, tendons and teeth
in form of carbonated hydroxyapatite. It provides hardness, stiffness to these
organs. The crystalline form of calcium phosphates are significantly used in
biomedical application that helps in restructuring of bone minerals. The other
forms of calcium phosphates finds widespread application across various
sectors. Calcium phosphates act as leavening agent and is abundantly used in
baked products, condiments and salts. Calcium phosphates also helps to enhance
the calcium content and is widely used in calcium supplements. Apart from food
industry, it also forms important component in manufacturing of wide range of
phosphate fertilizers. The acid salt of calcium formed by treating mineral
salts along with sulphuric acid is widely used as stabilise in plastics and
also as plant food.
Demand for biomaterial
for restructuring purposes among medical personnel is fuelling the demand for
calcium phosphates market. Calcium phosphate is widely used in dental and
orthopaedic applications as it used as synthetic graft substitutes during the implant
surgery. It also helps in regeneration of the tissues as it exhibits excellent
biocompatibility and helps to replenish calcium content especially in older
population and helps to prevent osteoporosis, thereby, it is widely used in
health supplements. Hence, increasing geriatric population along with
affordable treatment of implant surgeries using calcium phosphates as they are
stable and readily available is spurring the growth of calcium phosphate
market. Calcium phosphate also finds extensive use in food industry as food
additives. It acts thickening and stabilizing agent hence, is abundantly used
in water and oil based ingredients. Other characteristic properties of calcium
phosphate such as acidity regulator, helps to retain moisture and in treatment
of flour, it finds significant use in the production of bakery products and
processed food as it helps to maintain the texture of canned vegetables. Hence,
increasing demand for processed food, is expected to propel the growth of
calcium phosphate market.
However,
calcium phosphate exhibit poor mechanical properties as compared to other
biomaterial available for dental and orthopaedics applications. Hence,
extensive research is required to enhance the biomedical property of calcium
phosphate. Thereby, affecting the growth prospects of calcium phosphate market
as other biomaterials are readily available in the market. Moreover, extensive
intake of calcium phosphate can adversely affect the people sufferings from
chronic kidney diseases. Hence, population suffering from kidney diseases may
refrain from use of products containing calcium phosphate.