Gluconic acid

Gluconic acid is a mild organic acid produced by oxidizing glucose. Its salts and lactones occur in nature and are used in food, medicine, and industry.

Glucose oxidation: A set of chemical and biological reactions that convert glucose into more oxidized compounds. Gluconic acid forms when glucose’s aldehyde group is oxidized to a carboxyl group.
Food additive: A substance intentionally added to food to affect its preservation, processing, or properties. Gluconic acid and its lactone are used to regulate acidity and support food processing.
Glucose: A six-carbon monosaccharide that serves as a major energy source and metabolic intermediate. Glucose is the starting molecule whose oxidation produces gluconic acid.
Glucaric acid: A dicarboxylic sugar acid formed by oxidation of both terminal groups of glucose. Unlike gluconic acid, it has two carboxyl groups rather than one.
Glucono-δ-lactone: A cyclic ester formed by intramolecular condensation of gluconic acid. It forms reversibly from gluconic acid in aqueous solution and is used as a slow acidulant.
Sodium gluconate: The sodium salt of gluconic acid, used as a chelating agent and sequestrant. It binds metal ions in foods, detergents, and industrial formulations.
Carboxylic acid: An organic compound containing a carboxyl group, –COOH, that can donate a proton. Gluconic acid’s acidic behavior comes from its carboxyl group.
Gluconolactone: A cyclic ester form of gluconic acid, including its δ- and γ-lactone isomers. Lactone forms coexist with gluconic acid and shape its behavior in solution.
Glucose oxidase: An enzyme that oxidizes glucose to glucono-δ-lactone while reducing oxygen to hydrogen peroxide. This enzyme catalyzes a common biological route from glucose to gluconic acid.
Calcium gluconate: A calcium salt used as a mineral supplement and medicine for treating low blood calcium. This medical gluconate salt supplies calcium in oral and injectable forms.

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Glucuronic acidCompared with: It is another oxidized glucose product, but oxidation occurs at a different carbon.