Properties of Calcium Lactate Prepared from Calcined Littleneck Clam Ruditapes philippinarum Shell Powder

Abstract

Clamshells, which comprise more than 50% of a clam's weight, are a major byproduct of the clam industry and are mainly composed of insoluble calcium carbonate. This study investigates the use of clamshells as a natural calcium resource. Highly soluble powdered calcium lactate (LCCL) was prepared from the calcined powdered shells of littleneck clams (LCCP) using response surface methodology (RSM) to predict optimum conditions. These conditions, as derived from pH, solubility, and yield of 11 LCCLs manufactured according to the RSM model, were 1.80 M lactic acid and 1.13 M LCCP. The actual values of pH (6.98), solubility (93.99%), and yield (351.23%) under the optimized conditions were as predicted. The derived LCCL exhibited a strong buffering capacity in the range of pH 2.78-3.90 when combined with less than 2 mL of 1 N HCl. The ranges of calcium content and solubility of LCCL were 7.7-17.5 g/100 g and 96.6-98.9%, respectively. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) of the LCCL identified it as calcium lactate pentahydrate, and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) revealed an irregular and rod-like microstructure. These results confirm the potential use of clamshells, converted to highly soluble organic acid calcium, as an additive to enhance calcium content in food ingredients.