Potassium Gluconate

Introduction

Potassium gluconate is the potassium salt of gluconic acid, which is obtained by neutralisation of gluconic acid with a potassium source. Physiologically, gluconic acid is an important intermediate product of the carbohydrate metabolism.

Potassium gluconate is recommended for introducing or enriching potassium in food, especially in dietetic food. Furthermore, the product acts as a buffer salt and as a salt replacer in foodstuffs where sodium salts are not desired.

In pharmaceuticals, it serves as a potassium source against potassium deficiency or as a systemic alkaliser.

Potassium gluconate is also used in technical applications e.g. as sequestering agent in textiles or for galvanic surface treatment.

Potassium gluconate is a free flowing, white to slightly yellow, crystalline powder with a slightly bitter taste. It is readily water soluble. Furthermore, it is non-toxic and possesses good compatibility so that it may be used in food and pharmaceutical products. Jungbunzlauer potassium gluconate is supplied in its anhydrous form and shows little hygroscopic behaviour.

Aqueous solutions of potassium gluconate resist oxidation and reduction, even at high temperatures, and are not corrosive.

The directly compressible form potassium gluconate shows optimal tableting properties due to its amorphous structure.

Functions

This ingredient offers you the following excellent functions.

• Bioavailability/improved mineral absorption​
• Chelating agent
• Chelation​
• Direct compression​
• Mineral fortification​
• Mineral source
• Sodium reduction​

Specifications

Potassium gluconate is specified to meet the requirements of the latest edition of the Food Chemicals Codex (FCC), the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) and the Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012.

Potassium gluconate is supplied in 20kg multilayer paper bags with an inner polyethylene foil.

Legal aspects

In Europe, potassium gluconate is listed as a generally permitted food additive (E577) and may be added to all foodstuffs, following the ‘quantum satis’ principle as regulated in Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 (Annex 2), as long as no special regulation restricts the use.

In addition to existing national allowances in some countries, potassium is on the positive list of Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006 on food fortification and is allowed in food supplements (Directive 2002/46/EC). It is listed as mineral salt in Regulation (EC) No 609/2013 on food intended for infants and young children, food for special medical purposes, and total diet replacement for weight control.

In the USA, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) affirmed potassium gluconate as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) and permitted the use in food as nutrient supplement or sequestrant with no limitation other than current good manufacturing practice.