[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.