gluconic

Gluconic refers to compounds derived from gluconic acid and its salts, including the free acid and gluconates such as sodium gluconate, calcium gluconate, and potassium gluconate. Gluconic acid is a hexonic sugar acid formed by the oxidation of the aldehyde group of glucose to a carboxyl group. Its chemical formula is C6H12O7, and the acid is a weak, water-soluble substance with a pKa around 3.86.

Industrial production of gluconic acid typically involves catalytic oxidation of glucose with air in the presence of a metal catalyst, producing gluconic acid that can be isolated as the acid or converted to gluconate salts. An alternative method uses fermentation with certain microorganisms, most notably Aspergillus niger, which oxidizes glucose to gluconic acid. Enzymatic routes, such as glucose oxidase–mediated oxidation, are used in some food and processing applications to generate gluconic acid in situ.

Gluconates are widely used across industries. In food and beverages, they act as acidity regulators and chelating agents that stabilize minerals and prevent metal catalysis. In detergents and cleaners, sodium and potassium gluconate serve as water-softening agents and stabilizers. Calcium gluconate is used as a calcium supplement in medicine and nutrition, while other gluconates provide mineral supplementation or act as excipients in pharmaceutical formulations.

Gluconic acid occurs naturally in small amounts in honey and some fruits as a result of microbial and enzymatic oxidation of glucose. It is valued for its mild acidity, water solubility, and chelating properties in various formulated products.