Sodyum glukonat

Detailed information

What it is & how it is made

Sodium gluconate is the sodium salt of gluconic acid; the EU specification gives its formula as C6H11NaO7, its EINECS number as 208-407-7 and its assay as not less than 99 percent (Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012, E 576).

Where it is used

It appears in Group I of Part C of Annex II to EU Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 and may be used at quantum satis; the Turkish Food Codex Regulation on Food Additives follows the same list. JECFA lists it under the functional classes sequestrant and acidity regulator; its main purpose is to bind metal ions and thereby delay colour and flavour deterioration.

Health note

The group ADI established by JECFA for gluconic acid and the gluconates is 'not specified' (51st JECFA, 1998). EFSA's re-evaluation is ongoing and no opinion has been published; within EFSA's call for data both technical and use-level data were collected for E 576.

Halal assessment

This is the only substance in the group whose production route is written explicitly into the legislation: the EU specification states that sodium gluconate is 'manufactured by fermentation or chemical catalytic oxidation' (Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012, E 576). Neither route requires animal raw material; however, since the specification does not define the fermentation medium or the microorganism used, consult the manufacturer's halal certificate for a definitive answer.