CALCIUM LEVULINATE

Absorption

General calcium absorption occurs primarily in the duodenum by an active transcellular and saturable system, which is stimulated and regulated by 1,25(OH)2D,25 and through a passive and vitamin D-independent paracellular transport in the jejunum and ileum, and even in the colon - where absorption is only about 4% even when the intake is high . Ultimately, calcium absorption depends mainly on the amount of intake - in general, absorption increases at lower intakes and decreases at high intakes .
Readily accessible data regarding the specific absorption of calcium levulinate is not available although the formulation is considered a low molecular weight organic calcium ion type that is easily absorbed through the intestinal wall .

Toxicity

Overdosage with calcium resulting in excessively high levels of calcium in the blood known as hypercalcemia can cause renal insufficiency, vascular and soft tissue calcification, hypercalciuria, and kidney stones .

Chemical properties

White crystal or granular powder

The Uses of CALCIUM LEVULINATE

Calcium Levulinate is a salt of Levulinic Acid (L379500), derived from the degredation of cellulose and is a potential precursor to biofuels. Levulinic acid is also a photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy.

The Uses of CALCIUM LEVULINATE

Mineral supplement

Indications

This new application of calcium is intended for use as a food fortifier, to fortify foods like sauces, condiments, beer, beverages, soft drinks, milk and milk products, soy milk and soy products with calcium nutrition . Calcium levulinate can be used alone, or with calcium lactate, calcium chloride, and other compounds, either for pharmaceutical tablets, capsules, or injections preparation . In essence, calcium levulinate is ultimately a relatively new calcium supplementation option .

Background

The relatively new calcium levulinate is produced from a direct reaction between L- or levulinic acid levulose and calcium hydroxide . The resultant calcium levulinate formulation, when used as a calcium supplement, possesses a high calcium content that is observed to be 14.8% higher than the content typically found in calcium lactate . This formulation is considered a low molecular weight organic calcium ion type that is easily absorbed through the intestinal wall .
This new application of calcium is intended for use as a food fortifier, to fortify foods like sauces, condiments, beer, beverages, soft drinks, milk and milk products, soy milk and soy products with calcium nutrition . Calcium levulinate can be used alone, or with calcium lactate, calcium chloride, and other compounds, either for pharmaceutical tablets, capsules, or injections preparation .

Pharmacokinetics

The relatively new calcium levulinate is produced from a direct reaction between L- or levulinic acid levulose and calcium hydroxide . The resultant calcium levulinate formulation, when used as a calcium supplement, possesses a high calcium content that is observed to be 14.8% higher than the content typically found in calcium lactate . Moreover, this formulation also demonstrates a high solubility of more than 30% at 25℃ . Furthermore, the calcium levulinate is believed to be non-toxic and non-allergic, making it especially suitable for injection or infusion administrations . Additionally, this levulinate formulation is reported as having a good taste, little irritation with a pH value of 7, and good stability such that no precipitation or deterioration occurs during use . Finally, this calcium levulinate formulation is also believed to have good compatibility with calcium lactate, calcium chloride, and other material complexes which allows the formulation to also complex effectively with a diverse variety of foodstuffs and pharmaceutical dosage forms .

Metabolism

Although calcium levulinate dissociates into absorbable calcium ion once it is administered into the body, there have been studies to suggest that the levulinate component is metabolized to 4-hydroxypentanoate - a compound that has similar pharmacologic effects as but at a lower level of potency than the 'date rape' drug gamma-hydroxybutyrate .