gluconaat

Gluconaat, often written as gluconate in English, refers to the conjugate base or salt of gluconic acid. Common gluconate salts include sodium gluconate, potassium gluconate, and calcium gluconate. The term gluconaat is used in Dutch and some other languages to denote these salts or related species.

Production and chemistry

Gluconate is produced by neutralizing gluconic acid with a base or by fermentative or enzymatic oxidation of glucose to gluconic acid, followed by salt formation. The gluconate ion is highly water-soluble and forms a range of metal or amine salts. In solution, gluconate can act as a weak ligand and, in some contexts, as a chelating agent that binds metal ions.

Uses

Gluconates are widely used as food ingredients, where they serve as buffering agents and sequestrants to stabilize flavors and prevent metal-catalyzed reactions. They are also used as mineral supplements, with calcium gluconate and potassium gluconate common in medicinal products and dietary supplements. In medicine, calcium gluconate is used to treat calcium deficiencies and, in emergency settings, to stabilize cardiac membranes in certain electrolyte disturbances. In cosmetics and cleaning products, gluconates serve as chelating agents to improve stability and performance.

Safety and regulation

Gluconates are generally regarded as safe for their approved uses, though individual salts can pose risks at improper doses (for example, calcium or potassium overload). They are subject to food additive and pharmaceutical regulations appropriate to their specific salt and application.

See also

Gluconic acid; calcium gluconate; sodium gluconate; potassium gluconate.