Comparing E578 - calcium gluconate vs E327 - calcium lactate

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Overview

E578 - calcium gluconate

Calcium gluconate (E578) is a calcium salt of gluconic acid used in food as a stabilizer and sequestrant, which means it ties up trace metals that can spoil taste, color, and texture. It is also used to add a gentle boost of calcium without changing flavor very much.

E327 - calcium lactate

Calcium lactate (E327) is the calcium salt of lactic acid. Food makers use it to help keep fruits and vegetables firm, regulate acidity, and add a mild source of calcium to recipes. It’s widely permitted in the U.S. and EU and is considered safe when used in normal amounts in foods.

Synonyms

E578

calcium gluconate

E327

calcium lactate

Functions

sequestrant

acidity regulator firming agent sequestrant stabilizer thickener

Origins

Products

Found in 2 products

Found in 1,709 products

Search rank & volume

#11217K / mo🇺🇸U.S.

#1855.3K / mo🇺🇸U.S.

Awareness score

×355.82

over-aware

×0.46

under-aware

Search volume over time

Interest over time for 2 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.

Popular questions

What is calcium gluconate used for?
In foods (E578) it acts as a sequestrant and calcium source to improve stability and fortify products; medically it’s used to treat hypocalcemia, protect the heart in severe hyperkalemia, counter magnesium toxicity, and manage hydrofluoric acid exposure.
How does calcium gluconate treat hyperkalemia?
It doesn’t lower potassium; it stabilizes cardiac cell membranes by increasing extracellular calcium, reducing excitability and the risk of life‑threatening arrhythmias within minutes (effect ~30–60 minutes).
What does calcium gluconate do?
As a food additive it binds metal ions to prevent quality loss and supplies calcium; as a medicine it replaces calcium, stabilizes the myocardium in hyperkalemia, and treats hypocalcemia and magnesium toxicity.
What is calcium gluconate the antidote for?
It is an antidote for hydrofluoric acid exposure (topical/systemic) and for magnesium toxicity; it may also be used as an adjunct in calcium channel blocker overdose.
How to administer calcium gluconate injection?
By healthcare professionals only as slow IV push or infusion (not IM or subcutaneous due to tissue damage); a common adult dose for cardioprotection/hypocalcemia is 10 mL of 10% solution (1 g) over 5–10 minutes with ECG monitoring, repeat as needed. Avoid mixing with bicarbonate or phosphate solutions and monitor for extravasation.