Dicalcium phosphate, also known as dicalcium phosphate or precipitated calcium phosphate, exists in anhydrous and dihydrate forms. The main differences between anhydrous and dihydrate dicalcium phosphate lie in their chemical structure, solubility, application areas, and stability. These differences determine their application characteristics and advantages in different fields.
Dicalcium phosphate is a white, monoclinic crystalline powder, odorless and tasteless. Its chemical formula is CaHPO4·2H2O. It is stable in air, but begins to lose its water of crystallization to become anhydrous when heated to 75℃, and transforms into pyrophosphate at higher temperatures. It is readily soluble in dilute hydrochloric acid, dilute nitric acid, and acetic acid, and slightly soluble in water. Considering its physical and chemical properties, the temperature for testing moisture content should be at least below 75℃; otherwise, the loss of water of crystallization will result in significantly lower detection values. (The national standard specifies washing with acetone and drying at 50±2℃ for 2 hours.) Based on the molecular formula, the relative molecular mass is 172.10, the atomic mass of calcium is 40.078, and the atomic mass of phosphorus is 30.973762. Therefore, pure dicalcium phosphate should contain 23.29% calcium and 18.00% phosphorus.
Dicalcium phosphate, abbreviated as DCP, is a feed additive used to supplement the calcium and phosphorus minerals in livestock and poultry feed. It is currently a major "calcium + phosphorus" additive used in my country's livestock and poultry farming industry, typically added at 1%-3%. Its main function is to provide phosphorus, calcium, and other mineral nutrients to livestock and poultry compound feed. DCP is easily digested and absorbed, accelerating livestock and poultry growth and development, shortening the fattening period, and promoting rapid weight gain; it can improve the breeding rate and survival rate of livestock and poultry; it enhances the disease resistance and cold tolerance of livestock and poultry, and has a preventive and therapeutic effect on rickets, white diarrhea, and paralysis in livestock and poultry.
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