CAS Registry Number: [526-95-4]

Chemical Formula: C₆H₁₂O₇

E-Number: E574

Gluconic acid is a mild organic acid, neither caustic nor corrosive and with an excellent sequestering power. Non-toxic and readily biodegradable (98 % after 2 days), it occurs naturally in plants, fruits and other foodstuffs such as wine (up to 0.25 %) and honey (up to 1 %). Gluconic acid is prepared by fermentation of glucose, whereby the physiological d-form is produced.

In all recipes where gluconic acid is used together with sodium hydroxide, we recommend the direct use of sodium gluconate, the dry sodium salt of gluconic acid.

Gluconic acid has versatile properties through being a polyhydroxycarboxylic acid, with both hydroxyl and carboxyl groups which can react.

Concentrated solutions of gluconic acid contain some lactone (GDL), the neutral cyclic ester, which is less soluble in the cold and possesses no actual acid properties. About 5 % of GDL are present in the 50 % gluconic acid solution at room temperature.

The outstanding property of gluconic acid is its excellent chelating power, especially in alkaline and concentrated alkaline solutions. In this respect, it surpasses all other chelating agents, such as EDTA, NTA and related compounds. Calcium, iron, copper, aluminium and other heavy metals are firmly chelated in alkaline solution and masked in such a way that their interferences are eliminated.

Gluconic acid is stable at the boiling point even of concentrated alkaline solutions. However, it is easily and totally degraded in waste water treatment plants (98 % after 2 days).

Specifications & Package

Gluconic acid technical grade is supplied as a 50 % aqueous solution in water.

1000 kg net weight cubic drums for the 50 % solution, Other packaging types are available on request.

Applications & Main functions

• Excellent chelating agent

Gluconic acid is supplied in accordance with the latest requirements of the Comission Regulation (EU) No. 231/2012. Gluconic acid is not classified as a hazardous substance according to Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008 on Classification, Labelling and Packaging of Substances and Mixtures (CLP Regulation), implementing GHS (Globally Harmonized System) in the European Union. Gluconic acid does not need to be classified or labelled with pictograms, hazard and precautionary statements in accordance with this regulation.

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