Sodium gluconate is a compound with formula NaC6H11O7. It is the sodium salt of gluconic acid.
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. Sodium gluconate is also a highly efficient set retarder and a good plasticiser / water reducer for concrete, mortar and gypsum. Sodium gluconate is used to clean metal and glass, with applications such as bottle washing, food service and utensil cleaning, food process equipment cleaning, and paint removal. 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 has important effects for maintaining the osmotic pressure and volume of exocellular fluid, regulating the acid-base balance in human body and developing the normal functions of the nerves and muscles. The product is able to prevent effectively sodium-deficit syndromes from occurring.
