What is "gluconic acid"

Gluconic \Glu*con"ic\, a. Pertaining to, or derived from, glucose.

Gluconic acid (Chem.), an organic acid, obtained as a colorless, sirupy liquid, by the oxidation of glucose; -- called also maltonic acid, and dextronic acid.

n. (context carbohydrate English) An organic compound, C₆H₁₂O₇, formed by oxidizing the aldehyde functional group of glucose into a carboxylic acid; used as a food additive.

Gluconic acid is an organic compound with molecular formula CHO and condensed structural formula HOCH(CHOH)COOH. It is one of the 16 stereoisomers of 2,3,4,5,6-pentahydroxyhexanoic acid.

In aqueous solution at neutral pH, gluconic acid forms the gluconate ion. The salts of gluconic acid are known as "gluconates". Gluconic acid, gluconate salts, and gluconate esters occur widely in nature because such species arise from the oxidation of glucose. Some drugs are injected in the form of gluconates.