What is Gluconic Acid Used For?
Gluconic acid (CAS 526-95-4) is a mild, non-corrosive organic acid produced by the oxidation of glucose, available commercially as a 50% aqueous solution or as crystalline solid. It is a naturally occurring compound found in honey, fruit juices, and fermented foods, giving it clean-label appeal in food applications. Gluconic acid’s unique combination of chelating power, mild acidity, near-zero volatility, and biodegradability has made it a multi-sector industrial workhorse — widely used as a food acidulant, concrete set-retarder, metal surface treatment agent, pharmaceutical excipient, and cleaning chemical across more than 30 distinct industrial applications globally.
WIS Biotech has produced food-grade, feed-grade, and industrial-grade gluconic acid since 2015 at its Shandong, China production facility. Our 10,000 m² production complex, with 60,000 MT/year combined gluconate output, is the origin point for all eight mineral gluconate products in our portfolio — gluconic acid is both a standalone product and the foundational intermediate from which all gluconate mineral salts are derived. We supply gluconic acid to food manufacturers, construction chemical compounders, metal treatment processors, and pharmaceutical excipient distributors in more than 80 countries.
Key Applications
Food Acidulant and Preservative
Gluconic acid is used as a food acidulant, pH adjuster, and mild preservative across a range of processed food and beverage applications. As EU food additive E574, it is permitted in food products under the quantum satis (QS) principle in most categories. Its mild, clean acid taste — without the citrus note of citric acid or the dairy note of lactic acid — makes it suitable for applications requiring a neutral acid profile. It functions as a sequestrant (chelating calcium and iron ions) in food systems, preventing mineral-induced oxidation and color change. Common applications include bakery, beverages, dairy analogs, canned vegetables, and meat processing, often alongside GDL in systems where controlled acidification is required.
Concrete Retarder and Construction Chemicals
Gluconic acid is one of the most effective set retarders for Portland cement concrete, acting by chelating the calcium ions released during early cement hydration and delaying the formation of calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) crystals that initiate setting. As a 50% solution, it is used directly as a concrete retarder admixture or as a raw material in the synthesis of sodium gluconate — itself a major concrete set retarder used in ready-mix and precast concrete worldwide. WIS Biotech supplies industrial-grade gluconic acid (50% solution) to concrete admixture manufacturers, ready-mix producers, and PCE superplasticizer compounders, with technical documentation confirming iron content and purity parameters critical for concrete admixture performance. Our group company Definly Chemicals specializes in PCE superplasticizer raw materials for the construction industry.
Metal Surface Treatment and Cleaning
The chelating properties of gluconic acid make it valuable in industrial metal cleaning, scale removal, and surface pre-treatment applications. It removes rust, calcium scale, and mineral deposits from metal surfaces, concrete, and process equipment more effectively than mineral acids at equivalent pH, and without the volatility and corrosivity hazards associated with hydrochloric or phosphoric acid. It is used in CIP (clean-in-place) formulations for food processing equipment, bottle washing, and dairy plant cleaning systems, as well as in bottle pre-treatment and metal finishing operations where biodegradability is a requirement.
Pharmaceutical and Gluconate Salt Synthesis
Gluconic acid is the chemical precursor for all mineral gluconate salts — including calcium gluconate, zinc gluconate, ferrous gluconate, magnesium gluconate, and the other mineral gluconates in WIS Biotech’s portfolio. In pharmaceutical applications, it functions as an excipient in oral rehydration salts, mineral supplement formulations, and injectable mineral preparations. WIS Biotech’s food-grade gluconic acid (50% solution) meets E574 and JECFA purity standards and is used by gluconate salt manufacturers seeking a reliable, high-purity acid feedstock for downstream mineral salt synthesis.
Product Specifications
| Parameter | Specification (50% Solution) |
|---|---|
| CAS Number | 526-95-4 |
| Molecular Formula | C6H12O7 |
| Molecular Weight | 196.16 g/mol |
| Assay (gluconic acid content) | 49.0% – 51.0% |
| Appearance | Colorless to pale yellow clear liquid |
| Density (20°C) | ~1.24 g/mL |
| pH (undiluted 50% solution) | Approx. 3.5 – 4.5 |
| Iron (Fe) | 10 ppm max |
| Heavy Metals (as Pb) | 20 ppm max |
| Arsenic (As) | 3 ppm max |
| Lead (Pb) | 2 ppm max |
| Reducing Sugars | 2.0% max (as glucose) |
| Chloride | 0.005% max |
| Sulfate | 0.05% max |
| Available Grades | Food Grade (E574/JECFA), Industrial Grade |
Packaging & Supply
Gluconic acid 50% solution is supplied in 200 L HDPE drums (net ~248 kg), 1,000 L IBC totes (~1,240 kg), or ISO tank containers for bulk liquid shipment. Crystalline gluconic acid is available in 25 kg bags on request. Storage: below 30°C, away from direct sunlight; avoid freezing (solution may crystallize below 0°C — warmable without quality loss). Shelf life: 24 months from production date in sealed original containers.
MOQ: 1,000 kg (liquid). Terms: FOB Qingdao (standard); CIF, CFR, DDP available. Lead time: 7–14 business days. Samples (1–2 L) dispatched by international courier within 3–5 business days for qualification and application trials.
Quality & Compliance
WIS Biotech’s gluconic acid production is covered under the following active certification programs:
- ISO 9001:2015 – Quality Management System covering procurement, in-process control, and final QC release
- FSSC 22000 – Food Safety System Certification (GFSI-recognized); governs food-grade production lines
- Halal – IFANCA – Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America; valid for export to Muslim-majority markets globally
- Kosher – OU – Orthodox Union; required for US specialty retail and export to Israel
- FAMI-QS – Feed Additive and Premixture Quality System (feed-grade lines only)
WIS Biotech does not produce pharmaceutical-grade (USP/BP/EP) material. Products are intended for food, feed, and industrial use. Every shipment includes CoA, SDS, and origin documentation. Health Certificates, Fumigation Certificates, and ASEAN Form E available on request.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between gluconic acid and sodium gluconate?
Gluconic acid is the free acid form (C6H12O7), while sodium gluconate is the sodium salt of gluconic acid (C6H11NaO7). Sodium gluconate is a white crystalline solid, easier to handle, dose, and store than the 50% acid solution. In construction applications, sodium gluconate is generally preferred for set retardation due to its solid form and ease of metering. Gluconic acid is used where direct acid addition is required — food acidification, metal cleaning, or as a raw material in gluconate salt synthesis. WIS Biotech produces both forms from the same production stream.
Can WIS Biotech supply gluconic acid for concrete admixture manufacturing?
Yes. We regularly supply industrial-grade gluconic acid 50% solution to concrete admixture manufacturers, ready-mix producers, and PCE superplasticizer compounders. Technical documentation including iron content, reducing sugar levels, and chloride/sulfate content — all parameters affecting concrete admixture performance and compatibility — is provided with every shipment. For dedicated PCE superplasticizer raw material supply, also see our group company Definly Chemicals.
What is the iron content of WIS Biotech’s gluconic acid?
Our food-grade gluconic acid 50% solution guarantees iron (Fe) content of 10 ppm maximum per E574/JECFA specification. Iron content is directly relevant to concrete admixture performance (excess iron can cause concrete discoloration) and to food-grade applications where iron acts as an oxidation catalyst. Batch-specific iron content is reported on every CoA.
Is gluconic acid 50% solution safe to transport by ocean freight?
Yes. Gluconic acid 50% aqueous solution is not classified as a dangerous good under IMDG regulations for ocean freight and requires no hazardous goods declaration. It is non-flammable, non-corrosive at working concentrations, and biodegradable — making it straightforward to import without special dangerous goods permits. WIS Biotech provides full MSDS/SDS and freight documentation with every ocean shipment.
What is the MOQ for gluconic acid?
MOQ is 1,000 kg (liquid bulk). We supply in 200 L drums, 1,000 L IBC totes, and ISO tanks for larger volumes. Lead time is 7–14 business days FOB Qingdao. Sample volumes (1–2 L) are available for laboratory qualification by international courier within 3–5 business days.
Are Halal and Kosher certificates available for gluconic acid?
Yes. Both IFANCA Halal and OU Kosher certificates cover gluconic acid produced at our Shandong facility. Current valid certificates are available on our Downloads page. These are particularly relevant for gluconic acid used in food and beverage applications in Halal or Kosher certified production facilities.
Related Resources
- Sourcing Gluconate from China: A Buyer’s Checklist
- Calcium Gluconate vs. Calcium Carbonate: Which Calcium Source for Your Application?
For industrial sodium gluconate and PCE superplasticizer raw materials for the construction industry, visit our group company Definly Chemicals.
Related Products
Customers sourcing gluconic acid from WIS Biotech also frequently request Sodium Gluconate and Glucono Delta-Lactone (GDL) for related food processing and construction applications.
About WIS Biotech
WIS Biotech is a dedicated gluconate ingredient manufacturer founded in 2015, headquartered in Shandong Province, China. Our 10,000 m² production facility delivers a combined annual output of 60,000 MT across eight mineral gluconate and specialty ingredient products. With a 90% export ratio and active customer relationships in over 80 countries, WIS Biotech is one of China’s leading direct-manufacturer gluconate suppliers. We are part of a group that includes Definly Chemicals, our export trading and construction chemicals affiliate. Learn more about our group structure.