Gluconic acid

[6][7] Gluconic acid was first prepared by Hlasiwetz and Habermann in 1870[8] and involved the chemical oxidation of glucose.

[9] The production of gluconic acid by deep-tank fermentation (aerated, pH controlled, and stirred >1000 L tanks) of the filamentous fungi Aspergillus niger in 1929, for use as a food acidity regulator and cleaning agent, was the first successful use of deep-tank fermentation by Pfizer.

[10] This expertise later led to Pfizer's successful use of deep-tank fermentation of Penicillium fungi in February 1944,[10] to rapidly scale up penicillin production, resulting in sufficient penicillin to treat the American and British battle casualties of the June 6th Allied D-Day invasion of World War II.

Gluconic acid aqueous solution finds application as a medium for organic synthesis.

[16] In medicine, gluconate is used most commonly as a biologically neutral carrier of Zn2+, Ca2+, Cu2+, Fe2+, and K+ to treat electrolyte imbalance.

[17] Calcium gluconate, in the form of a gel, is used to treat burns from hydrofluoric acid;[18][19] calcium gluconate injections may be used for more severe cases to avoid necrosis of deep tissues, as well as to treat hypocalcemia in hospitalized patients.

Skeletal formula of gluconic acid
Skeletal formula of gluconic acid
Ball-and-stick model of gluconic acid
Ball-and-stick model of gluconic acid