Gluconic acid

Gluconic acid is a naturally occurring organic acid, derived from glucose through fermentation. It is a colorless, water-soluble substance that plays an important role in various industrial and food applications. In its pure form, gluconic acid is commonly used as a chelating agent, helping to bind metal ions and improve the stability of formulations.

In the food industry, gluconic acid is used as a food additive to regulate acidity and enhance the flavor profile of certain products. It also finds applications in cleaning products, as a biodegradable alternative to harsher chemicals, due to its ability to break down mineral deposits and remove scale. Additionally, gluconic acid is utilized in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and agriculture, providing a versatile solution for various industrial needs. Known for its eco-friendly nature and low toxicity, gluconic acid is a valuable compound across multiple sectors.

Test Items	Specifications
Appearance	Clear viscous liquid, without visible impurity
BE (Dry solids):	38-46%
DE value:	38-60
pH value	4.0-6.0
Protein	0.1% max
Ash	0.1% max
Transmittance	99% min
As	0.5 ppm max
Pb	0.1 ppm max
Coli form:	30cfu/g maximum
Mold:	100 cfu/g, maximum

1. Food and Beverage Industry

• Acidity Regulator: Gluconic acid is used to adjust the pH of food and beverages, enhancing flavor and preserving the desired taste profile. It is commonly found in products like fruit juices, soft drinks, and pickled foods.
• Preservative: It acts as a natural preservative by lowering the pH and creating an environment that inhibits the growth of spoilage microorganisms.
• Gluconate Salts: When combined with minerals like calcium or sodium, gluconic acid forms gluconate salts (e.g., calcium gluconate), which are used as nutritional supplements and fortifiers in food products.

2. Chelating Agent

• Water Treatment: Gluconic acid and its salts are effective chelating agents, binding metal ions like calcium and magnesium in hard water, preventing scale formation, and improving the efficiency of water treatment systems.
• Cleaning Agents: It is used in industrial cleaners to remove mineral deposits, rust, and scale from metal surfaces, pipes, and equipment, especially in the food and beverage industry, water treatment plants, and dairy processing.

3. Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare

• Calcium Supplement: Calcium gluconate, a salt of gluconic acid, is used as a dietary supplement to treat or prevent calcium deficiencies.
• pH Adjuster in Medicinal Products: Gluconic acid is used to adjust the pH of certain pharmaceutical formulations, ensuring stability and efficacy of the active ingredients.
• Topical Use: Gluconic acid and its salts are used in topical creams and ointments to promote skin health, particularly in treating conditions like dry skin or eczema.

4. Cosmetics and Personal Care

• pH Regulator: In cosmetic formulations, gluconic acid is used to maintain the proper pH balance, ensuring the product’s stability and skin compatibility.
• Exfoliation and Skin Care: Its mild acid properties make it useful in exfoliating and skin-smoothing products, helping to remove dead skin cells and promote a brighter complexion.
• Chelating Agent in Formulas: Gluconic acid is used to bind metal ions in cosmetics, improving the product’s shelf life and effectiveness.

5. Cleaning and Detergents

• Descaling and Rust Removal: Gluconic acid is widely used in industrial cleaning products, especially for removing lime scale, mineral deposits, and rust from machinery, pipes, and kitchen equipment.
• Non-Toxic Cleaner: Its biodegradable nature makes gluconic acid a safer, eco-friendly alternative to harsher, chemical-based cleaning agents.

6. Agriculture

• Fertilizers and Soil Amendments: Gluconic acid helps improve the absorption of nutrients in plants by acting as a chelating agent that makes metal ions like iron, magnesium, and calcium more bioavailable in the soil.
• Plant Growth Stimulants: Some formulations use gluconic acid to enhance plant growth by improving soil quality and nutrient uptake.

7. Industrial Applications

• Concrete Additive: Gluconic acid is used in the concrete industry to improve the workability and strength of concrete mixtures by acting as a retardant and plasticizer, preventing premature setting.
• Metal Surface Treatment: It is used for metal passivation, particularly in the treatment of aluminum and stainless steel, preventing oxidation and corrosion.

8. Biotechnology

• Fermentation Media: Gluconic acid is used as a carbon source in certain biotechnological processes, including microbial fermentation, for producing products like enzymes, biofuels, and pharmaceuticals.
• Growth Medium for Microorganisms: In microbiology, gluconic acid can be used as a medium for cultivating certain types of microorganisms due to its energy-rich properties.

9. Textile Industry

• Dyeing and Finishing: Gluconic acid is sometimes used in textile processing to remove metal ions, improve the quality of dyeing, and ensure more uniform color application.

Packed in 250kg net weight round HDPE drums,80 drums/20ft container