How Bio-based Gluconic Acid is Produced
Key Pathways:
- Aerobic Microbial Oxidation of Glucose
- Gluconobacter oxidans or Aspergillus niger are used to oxidize glucose into gluconic acid via glucose oxidase or glucose dehydrogenase enzymes.
- The reaction occurs under mild conditions with high selectivity and yield.
- Renewable Feedstocks
- Glucose is derived from corn starch, cassava, sugarcane, or rice, with efforts underway to adapt lignocellulosic sugars.
- Purification
- Gluconic acid is typically recovered as calcium gluconate, sodium gluconate, or as free acid via precipitation and downstream filtration.
Feedstocks: Corn starch, cassava, molasses, fruit waste, lignocellulose-derived glucose (emerging).
Case Study: Jungbunzlauer (Austria/France) – Natural Gluconates from Corn
Highlights:
- Produces GMO-free, fermented gluconic acid from renewable corn glucose.
- Supplies calcium and sodium gluconates for food, pharma, and industrial applications.
- Focused on high-purity, biodegradable chelators and green concrete additives.
Timeline & Outcome:
- Pre-2010: Corn-based fermentation facilities established.
- 2015–2020: Expanded production to serve pharmaceutical and industrial chelator markets.
- 2021–2024: Introduced low-carbon production lines and expanded reach in Asia and LATAM.
Global Startups Working on Bio-based Gluconic Acid
- b.fab (Germany) – Developing C1-based sugar platforms for gluconic acid via fermentation.
- Zymtronix (USA) – Using immobilized oxidase enzymes to improve yield and reduce cost.
- Green Spot Technologies (France) – Fermenting fruit and vegetable by-products into gluconic acid-rich powders for food applications.
- ChainCraft (Netherlands) – Exploring side-stream fermentation to co-produce gluconic acid and medium-chain fatty acids.
India’s Position
India has growing capability in bio-glucose and organic acid production:
- Glucose producers like Anil Bioplus, Sukhjit Starch, and Riddhi Siddhi Gluco Biols have the upstream base.
- CSIR–CFTRI, NIIST, and ICT Mumbai have demonstrated gluconic acid fermentation from molasses and fruit waste.
- Some small-scale producers supply sodium gluconate for construction and textile applications.
- Gluconic acid is largely imported in pharma and food sectors, creating a market opportunity.
Commercialization Outlook
Market & Demand
- Global gluconic acid market: ~$750 million (2024), CAGR ~5.8%.
- Applications:
- Acidifier and preservative in food and beverages
- Chelating agent in construction and metal cleaning
- Pharmaceutical mineral supplements (e.g., calcium gluconate)
- Green corrosion inhibitors and cleaning agents
Key Drivers
- Growing preference for biodegradable chelators over EDTA and phosphates.
- Demand in clean-label food products.
- Rising construction demand for eco-friendly cement admixtures.
- Regulatory push for non-toxic, bio-based additives.
Challenges to Address
- Low margin and price sensitivity, especially in construction and industrial segments.
- Enzymatic fermentation requires oxygen-rich conditions and robust strain handling.
- Need for lignocellulosic glucose integration to avoid food-vs-fuel debates.
- India lacks large-scale, dedicated gluconic acid production units.
Progress Indicators
- 2010–2015: Corn-based fermentation standardizes in the EU and US.
- 2016–2021: Use expands in green cleaners and concrete admixtures.
- 2022–2024: Startups develop enzyme-enhanced and waste-based pathways.
- India: Pilot fermentations demonstrated using fruit waste and molasses; scale-up needed.
Fermentation of starch-based glucose to gluconic acid is at TRL 9 (fully commercial). Waste-derived glucose fermentation is at TRL 5–6, with pilot activity in Europe and Asia.
Conclusion
Bio-based gluconic acid stands out as a versatile and scalable platform chemical, with established use across food, pharma, and industrial sectors. Its fermentation-based production ensures renewability, biodegradability, and low toxicity, making it a sustainable substitute for synthetic acidifiers and chelators. With India’s strong starch-processing industry and growing bio-based chemical focus, scaling domestic gluconic acid production offers a clear opportunity for import substitution and value-added waste utilization. Investments in waste-to-sugar platforms and fermentation optimization can push India toward global competitiveness in this essential molecule.
Wish to have bio-innovations industry or market research support from specialists for climate & environment? Talk to BioBiz team – Call Muthu at +91-9952910083 or send a note to ask@biobiz.in
Expert Consulting Assistance for Indian Bioenergy & Biomaterials
Talk to BioBiz
Call Muthu – 9952910083
Email – ask@biobiz.in
