Description
General information
Sodium gluconate is the sodium salt of gluconic acid, produced by
fermentation of glucose. It is a white to tan, granular to fine,
crystalline powder, very soluble in water. Non corrosive, non-toxic
and readily biodegradable (98 % after 2 days), sodium gluconate is
more and more appreciated as chelating agent.
The outstanding property of sodium gluconate is its excellent
chelating power, especially in alkaline and concentrated alkaline
solutions. It forms stable chelates with calcium, iron, copper,
aluminium and other heavy metals, and in this respect, it surpasses
all other chelating agents, such as EDTA, NTA and related
compounds.
Aqueous solutions of sodium gluconate are resistant to oxidation
and reduction, even at high temperatures. However, it is easily
degraded biologically (98 % after 2 days), and thus presents no
wastewater problem.
Sodium gluconate is also a highly efficient set retarder and a good
plasticiser / water reducer for concrete, mortar and gypsum.
And last but not least, it has the property to inhibit bitterness
in foodstuffs.
