There is an enormous quantity of literature, including numerous patents, on the functions and applications of phosphates in foods. No attempt has been made to review every publication, as such an exhaustive review would require a sizeable book. Anyone interested in further details on any topic covered in this treatise should consult the references listed at the end of the chapter. The bibliographies provided in the references for each topic should provide more thorough coverage. It is hoped that the references cited are those with the most useful information on the phosphate applications and their effects on foods.

Phosphates in Food provides the first comprehensive analysis of phosphates used in food processing in almost 20 years. The book describes the nomenclature, structure, chemistry, and analytical procedures for phosphates in foods. Interactions between added and some natural phosphates and food components (particularly proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and metal ions) are examined in relation to using phosphates in food processing for such purposes as increasing the water-holding capacity of proteins, improving emulsification, preventing gelation, and delaying lipid oxidation. The book also discusses the use of phosphates in specific food groups, such as milk and dairy products; meats, poultry, and fish; fruits and vegetables; bakery products and cereals; and miscellaneous food products including beverages, fats and oils, sugar and confectionery products, eggs and derivatives, and specialty products. An extensive section discussing the importance of phosphates as microbial agents is presented and is followed by a final section that examines the nutritional and health implications of elevated phosphate intake. The book contains 1,135 references, 43 tables, and 34 figures, making it an ideal reference resource for researchers in food sciences, microbiology, and nutrition; food and chemical industries; and regulatory agencies within local, state, and federal governments.