Calcium Gluconate

Brief Overview:

Calcium Gluconate is the gluconate salt of calcium. An element or mineral necessary for normal nerve, muscle, and cardiac function, calcium as the gluconate salt helps to maintain calcium balance and prevent bone loss when taken orally. This agent may also be chemopreventive for colon and other cancers. The mineral supplement also features among the list of key medicines on the World Health Organization’s list of essential medicines. It is used for treating conditions resulting from calcium deficiencies.

Manufacturing Process:

Calcium gluconate is produced by the neutralization of gluconic acid with calcium carbonate or lime. Calcium gluconate is mainly available in two commercial grades for food grade and injection grade. Injection grade holds the largest market due to its commercial medical application while food grade is growing at a faster rate. The various form of calcium gluconate available in the market is in powder, liquid, gums, and tablets forms.

Applications:

Medical/Pharmaceutical: Calcium gluconate is a mineral supplement and medication. As a medication it is used by injection into a vein to treat low blood calcium, high blood potassium, and magnesium toxicity. Supplementation is generally only required when there is not enough calcium in the diet. Supplementation may be done to treat or prevent osteoporosis or rickets. It can also be taken by mouth but is not recommended for injection into a muscle.

Food: Besides its use as an active ingredient in medicines, it is also widely used in numerous food products, where it serves the role of a nutrient supplement. Calcium gluconate is a source of calcium in different varieties of foods and beverage, including: soft drinks, milk, bottled waters, juices, soy products, dairy products, confectionery, and baked goods.