  gluconic acid is an organic compound with molecular formula c6h12o7 and condensed structural formula hoch2(choh)4cooh. 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. ==chemical structure== the chemical structure of gluconic acid consists of a six-carbon chain with five hydroxyl groups terminating in a carboxylic acid group. in aqueous solution, gluconic acid exists in equilibrium with the cyclic ester glucono delta-lactone. ==occurrence and uses== gluconic acid occurs naturally in fruit, honey, and wine. as a food additive (e574current eu approved additives and their e numbers. food standards agency ), it is an acidity regulator. it is also used in cleaning products where it dissolves mineral deposits especially in alkaline solution. the gluconate anion [[chelating
Acids_in_wine Chelating_agents Food_additives Gluconates Sugar_acids