Copper Gluconate
Minerals & Trace Elements
Nutritional Enhancers
527-09-3
C₁₂H₂₂CuO₁₄
$10.04 ~ $15.06
Food
Free sample from 100g(NF)
One unit of:25kg/barrel
One unit of:25kg/barrel
25kg/barrel
Product Info
What is Copper Gluconate?
Copper Gluconate is an organic copper salt of D-gluconic acid used primarily as a highly bioavailable nutritional supplement to fortify foods and beverages with essential copper.
How is Copper Gluconate made?
| Step No. | Production Stage | Key Action | Control Point & Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reaction Setup | Charge a glass-lined or stainless steel reactor with deionized water and a specified quantity of gluconic acid solution. Begin agitation and heating. | Control Point: Verify the quality and concentration of incoming raw materials. Heat the solution to a controlled temperature, typically between 50-70°C, to facilitate the reaction without decomposition. |
| 2 | Synthesis Reaction | Slowly and incrementally add Copper (II) Carbonate powder to the agitated, heated gluconic acid solution. | Control Point: Addition must be slow to manage the effervescence (CO₂ gas release) and prevent foaming over. Monitor the reaction until gas evolution ceases and the solution pH approaches neutral (pH 6.0 - 7.0). |
| 3 | Purification & Filtration | Filter the hot reaction mixture through a fine filter press to remove any unreacted solids or suspended impurities. Activated carbon may be used for decolorization. | Control Point: The goal is a clear, bright blue filtrate. The solution must be kept hot during filtration to prevent premature crystallization and product loss. |
| 4 | Crystallization | Transfer the clear, hot filtrate to a crystallizer and cool it under a controlled temperature gradient to precipitate the Copper Gluconate crystals. | Control Point: The rate of cooling is critical as it influences crystal size, shape, and purity. Slower cooling typically yields larger and purer crystals. |
| 5 | Separation | Separate the precipitated crystals from the mother liquor using a centrifuge. | Control Point: Ensure the centrifuge runs at the correct speed and for a sufficient duration to achieve a low-moisture solid cake, maximizing yield from the mother liquor. |
| 6 | Washing & Drying | Wash the centrifuged cake with a small amount of cold deionized water to remove residual impurities, then transfer the wet product to a vacuum dryer. | Control Point: Drying temperature must be carefully controlled (typically below 80°C) to prevent thermal degradation. Dry until the 'Loss on Drying' (LOD) value meets the product specification (e.g., < 9.0%). |
| 7 | Milling & Sieving | Mill the dried Copper Gluconate to achieve a uniform, fine powder. Sieve the powder through a screen of a specified mesh size. | Control Point: Ensure the final product has a consistent particle size distribution as per specification. Check sieves for integrity to prevent contamination. |
| 8 | Final QC & Packaging | Take a representative sample of the final batch for full quality control analysis. Upon approval, package the product into sealed, labeled, food-grade containers. | Control Point: Final analysis must confirm identity, copper content (assay), and purity, including limits for heavy metals like lead and arsenic. Packaging must protect the hygroscopic product from moisture and light. |
Technical Specifications
| CAS Number | 527-09-3 |
| Chemical Formula | C₁₂H₂₂CuO₁₄ |
| Solubility | soluble in water (~300 g/L at 25 °C); insoluble in ethanol, ether, acetone |
| Storage Conditions | store in cool, dry, ventilated area protected from light and moisture |
| Shelf Life | 36 Months |
Applications & Usage
Common Applications:
used as dietary copper supplement
ingredient in fortified foods/beverages
oral care
skin & hair products
Mechanism of action:
| Parameter | Copper Gluconate |
|---|---|
| Functional Category | Nutrient Supplement; Mineral Fortificant; Color Fixative |
| Key Ingredients | Copper(II) Gluconate |
| Mechanism of Action | Provides bioavailable copper (Cu2+), an essential trace mineral that acts as a cofactor for numerous metalloenzymes (e.g., cytochrome c oxidase, lysyl oxidase). In specific applications, the copper ion chelates with chlorophyll derivatives (pheophytins) to form a stable, bright green complex, preventing degradation to dull pigments. |
| Application Effect in Product | Fortifies food products and dietary supplements to meet nutritional requirements. In processed vegetables like olives, it fixes and stabilizes the green color, enhancing visual appeal and preventing discoloration during processing and storage. |
Comparison:
| Product Name | Category/Type | Key Features | Strengths (vs peers) | Weaknesses (vs peers) | Best Use Cases | Why Choose |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copper Gluconate | Chelated Mineral Supplement | Copper bound to gluconic acid. | Good bioavailability; widely available and affordable for a chelated form; generally well-tolerated. | Bioavailability may be slightly lower than bisglycinate or picolinate; gluconic acid offers no additional benefit. | General daily supplementation to support enzyme function, immune health, and prevent deficiency. | A balanced, cost-effective, and reliable choice for most users seeking a bioavailable copper source. |
| Copper Sulfate | Inorganic Mineral Salt | Copper bound to a sulfate ion. | Very inexpensive and widely used in basic multivitamins. | Lower bioavailability; higher potential for gastrointestinal upset and nausea; absorption competes with zinc. | Low-cost formulations or agricultural use; not ideal for correcting human deficiency. | Only for extreme budget constraints where higher doses can be used to offset poor absorption. |
| Copper Citrate | Chelated Mineral Supplement | Copper bound to citric acid. | High bioavailability, often considered comparable or slightly superior to gluconate. | Can be slightly more expensive than gluconate; less common in standalone supplements. | Effective copper supplementation, particularly when paired with other citrate-bound minerals. | An excellent, highly absorbed alternative to gluconate with similar tolerance. |
| Copper Bisglycinate | Amino Acid Chelate | Copper bound to two glycine molecules. | Superior bioavailability and absorption; exceptionally gentle on the digestive system. | Typically the most expensive form of supplemental copper. | For individuals with sensitive stomachs, malabsorption issues, or who need maximum absorption. | When maximum bioavailability and minimal GI side effects are the top priorities. |
| Copper Picolinate | Chelated Mineral Supplement | Copper bound to picolinic acid. | Very high bioavailability due to picolinic acid being a natural chelator that aids mineral transport. | Often more expensive than gluconate or citrate; less widely available. | Targeted, high-potency supplementation to correct a diagnosed deficiency quickly. | For therapeutic use requiring rapid and efficient copper absorption, often under medical guidance. |
Technical Documents
Available Documentation
COA and monograph available
Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
MSDS available
Certificate of Analysis (COA)
Quality assurance documentation
Technical Data Sheet
Detailed technical specifications