Food & Nutrition

Magnesium Carbonate in Food and Beverage Products

Magnesium carbonate is a highly versatile mineral that performs a variety of important functions in food and beverage products.
Tags Icon Emulsifier Stabilizer
Varad Bende
6 min read
Table of Contents

What is Magnesium Carbonate?

Magnesium carbonate is an inorganic compound of magnesium and carbonate ions with the chemical formula MgCO3. It’s a white to colorless solid mineral found naturally in certain rocks and minerals such as dolomite, magnesite, and limestone. It can also be produced synthetically by reacting soluble magnesium salt and sodium bicarbonate. 

Also known as magnesite, it is a highly versatile mineral that performs various essential functions in foods and beverages. Relied on since the early 1900s, today, magnesium carbonate is used in a broad spectrum of products ranging from soda to bread to improve nutrition, texture, taste, and quality.

Chemical structure of Magnesium Carbonate
Magnesium carbonate chemical structure. Source: Wikipedia

Common Forms of Magnesium Carbonate

Magnesium carbonate takes a variety of forms. The most common are the anhydrous salt called magnesite (MgCO3), and the di, tri, and pentahydrates known as barringtonite (MgCO3·2H2O), nesquehonite (MgCO3·3H2O), and lansfordite (MgCO3·5H2O), respectively.

Some basic forms, such as artinite (Mg2CO3(OH)2·3H2O), hydromagnesite (Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2·4H2O), and dypingite (Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2·5H2O), also occur as minerals.

Use of Magnesium Carbonate in Food and Beverage Products

Magnesium carbonate performs several valuable functions in foods and beverages. Here are several of the most popular uses of magnesium carbonate.

  • Antacid
  • Clarifying agent
  • Acidity regulator
  • Stabilizer
  • Raising agent
  • Anticaking agent
  • Mineral source
  • Dough modifier
  • Emulsifier
  • Adsorbent
  • Laxative
  • Colorant

Applications in Food and Beverage Products

Because magnesium carbonate is so versatile, it’s used in a variety of ways in many different types of foods and beverages. The following table illustrates common applications.

CategoryProductsFunction
BakeryBreads
Doughs		Strengthening Agent
Dough Conditioner
Raising Agent
Stabilizer
BeveragesJuices
Soft Drinks		Acidity Regulator
Carbonating Agent
Convenience FoodCereals
Powdered Beverages
Ready-to-Cook Foods		Anticaking Agent
Conditioner
Emulsifier
DairyIce Cream
Yogurt		Stabilizer
ConfectioneryCandies
Chocolates		Color Additive
Stabilizer
OthersTable Salt
Table Sweeteners		Anticaking Agent
Adsorbent

Properties of Magnesium Carbonate

Molecular Weight84.3139 g/mol
Melting Point350 °C decomposes (anhydrous)
165 °C (trihydrate)
Density2.958 g/cm3
Storage TemperatureRoom temperature at low humidity
Solubility in WaterPractically insoluble
Physical FormPowder
ColorWhite
pH9.5 – 10.5 (5 % Aqueous solution)
Claims (*Product Specific)Vegan, Gluten-free, Halal*, Kosher*

Typical Formulations

Flavored Beverage

Beverage products are often enriched with calcium and magnesium in soluble form for nutritional purposes.

Here is an example of a beverage formulation table with Magnesium Carbonate along with the % weight of ingredients: 

Ingredient% Composition
Calcium Carbonate2.5 g
Magnesium Carbonate1 g
Citric Acid8 g
Sugar100 g
Oligosaccharide15 g
Ascorbic Acid500 mg
Plant Extracts100 mg

Bread

Magnesium carbonate is used in bread for nutrition, quality improvement, and taste enhancement.

Here is an example of a bread formulation table with Magnesium Carbonate along with the % weight of ingredients: 

IngredientComposition
Brew
Water68 pounds
Salt9 ounces
Sugar11 ounces
Yeast2 pounds
Yeast Food8 ounces
Bread Dough
Flour100 pounds
Sugar8 pounds
Salt6 ounces
Shortening (Vegetable Oil)3 pounds
Calcium Propionate4 ounces
Dough Developer2 pounds
Standard Enrichment Tablet (Vitamin B1, B2, B3 & Iron)
Emulsifier1 pound
Magnesium Carbonate7.5 ounces

Magnesium Carbonate Formulation Considerations

Magnesium carbonate’s properties create a variety of formulation implications. Here are seven considerations to take into account when using magnesium carbonate as an additive in food and beverage products.

Stability

Magnesium carbonate is light and oxidative stable. It’s heat stable up to 600°C.

Dosage

The typical dosage of magnesium carbonate in food products is between 0.1% and 0.5% by weight. However, dosage recommendations vary significantly depending on the function and application. Following optimal dosages is important since adding too much magnesium carbonate can negatively impact food quality. Breads are especially sensitive to magnesium carbonate, resulting in taste and texture problems and yeast inactivation (due to increased pH) when too much magnesium carbonate is added.

Effects on Textural Properties of Food Products

Magnesium carbonate has a binding or strengthening effect on gluten and adds strength to dough — adding magnesium carbonate to water changes how electrostatic forces act upon gluten, resulting in a change in dough rheology. The additional firmness imparted to the gluten by the salt enables it to better hold water and gas, allowing the dough to expand without tearing. 

This influence becomes significant when soft water is used for dough mixing or when immature flour must be used. Also, due to its strong water-retaining capacity, magnesium carbonate dehydrates gluten, improving the machinability and handling of the dough. 

Effects on Physicochemical Properties

Magnesium carbonate is an alkaline compound. As a result, it can act as an acidity regulator, neutralizing acids and raising the pH of food. For example, magnesium carbonate slows the fermentation rate by reducing the pH, checking yeast development, and preventing undesirable or excessive acidity. The shift in pH affects the physicochemical properties of food.

Magnesium carbonate also acts as a buffer by reacting with both acids and bases. It can absorb and neutralize acids, preventing them from affecting the pH of a solution. This helps to maintain a stable pH level in the solution. Magnesium carbonate decomposes to form magnesium oxide and carbon dioxide gas when heated.

Effects on Nutritional Properties

Magnesium is crucial to the health of the human body. It plays a role in muscle movement, bone strength, blood sugar levels, and cardiovascular health. Magnesium carbonate is a magnesium source, so foods fortified with magnesium carbonate can help increase magnesium intake.

Effects on Sensory Properties

Magnesium carbonate has an earthy, slightly bitter, salty taste. It is odorless — but since it has a high absorptive ability, it can absorb odors. Magnesium carbonate is typically white and will impart its color to food. For this reason, it’s also used as a whitening agent.

Interaction with Other Components

Magnesium carbonate can react with acids and bases to form salts or act as a leavening agent by reacting with weak acids to produce carbon dioxide gas. It can also react with other ingredients to form complex molecules affecting a food’s taste, texture, and stability.

Magnesium Carbonate Safety & Regulatory Considerations

Magnesium carbonate is safe for use in food when limited to recommended amounts. It’s allowed as a food additive in the United States and the European Union. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has established an acceptable daily intake of magnesium carbonate of up to 0.5 grams per kilogram body weight per day.

Identification Numbers

CAS Number546-93-0
EC NumberE504

Fun Facts About Magnesium Carbonate 

  • Magnesium carbonate is also used as an antacid and a fertilizer, among many other use cases.
  • Because of its low solubility in water and hygroscopic properties, magnesium carbonate was first added to salt in 1911 to make it flow more freely.

Additional Sources & Resources