What is Zinc Gluconate (Zinc Gluconate · Organic Zinc Salt)?
Zinc gluconate is the organic salt formed by zinc and gluconic acid. It is well soluble in water, has a relatively mild taste, and is one of the most commonly used zinc forms in food supplements and lozenge products. It is the classic form preferred in cold remedy lozenges.
- Molecular formula: C₁₂H₂₂O₁₄Zn
- CAS number: 4468-02-4
- Form: Powder / Organic Zinc Salt
- Quality: Food / Pharmaceutical Grade
- Zinc gluconate (MoA ~455.7) contains ~14.3% elemental zinc; 100 mg of salt contains ~14 mg of elemental Zn.
What is Zinc Gluconate · Organic Zinc Salt Used For? Why is it Used?
Zinc gluconate is an economical zinc source with a wide history of use due to its mild taste, good solubility, and low gastric irritation. It is the most suitable form for orally disintegrating lozenge formulations and is one of the most studied zinc salts for cold support.
Main areas of use: Dietary Supplements, Mineral Supplements, Food Fortification, Liquid Formulations, Tablet Production, Powder Mixtures.
Usage in Dietary Supplements
- Organic gluconate salt: It has a more neutral taste and better solubility compared to sulfate; it is frequently used in chewable tablets, lozenges, and syrup formulations.
- Lozenge use: Orally disintegrating zinc gluconate lozenges have been studied for their ability to shorten the duration of colds; they need to be absorbed at frequent intervals to be effective.
- Bioavailability: Absorption is similar to sulfate and aspartate; it has been reported to be slightly lower compared to chelated forms. The difference in absorption between forms has not been definitively proven (NIH ODS).
- Dosage logic: The claim is made based on elemental zinc (50 mg gluconate ~7 mg Zn); the typical daily range is 10–15 mg of elemental zinc.
Usage in the Food Industry
- Permitted zinc source: It is among the permitted zinc sources in the Annex of the TR Regulation and EU legislation.
- Lozenges and fortification: Due to its mild taste and solubility, it is widely used in cold remedy lozenges, chewable tablets, and food fortification premixes.
- Functional food additive: As an organic salt, its reactivity is low, so it is considered as a zinc enrichment source in some functional foods and beverages.
Effects on Health
Zinc is a mineral that plays a role in many fundamental functions in the body. The main functions authorized/evaluated by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA):
- Immune system: Zinc contributes to the normal function of the immune system (EFSA).
- DNA synthesis and cell division: Zinc contributes to normal DNA synthesis and cell division (EFSA).
- Protection from oxidative stress: Zinc contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress (EFSA).
- Normal vision: Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal vision (EFSA).
- Hair, nails, skin, and bones: Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal hair, nails, skin, and bones (EFSA).
- Cold duration (clinical): Meta-analyses have shown that zinc lozenges can shorten the duration of colds; the effect may be accompanied by mild side effects such as taste disturbance/nausea.
Usage Limits in Supplement Foods
- Nutrient Reference Value (NRV): Zinc NRV is 10 mg (1169/2011).
- Tolerable Upper Intake Level (EFSA): EFSA sets the zinc UL at 25 mg/day (total elemental zinc).
- Turkish legislation (TETGK): Zinc gluconate is a permitted zinc source in the TR Regulation; the exact number for maximum daily zinc should be verified from the official annex (not fabricated).
Excessive zinc can suppress copper absorption, leading to copper deficiency; total UL is 25 mg/day.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Purity | 100.26% |
| Appearance | White Powder |
| Moisture | ≤5.0 % |
| Solubility | Soluble in Water |
Scientific Studies
The following independent researches relate to the bioavailability, usage, and effects of this mineral (evidence levels are specified):
- PubMed 21769305 — Systematic review reporting that zinc lozenges can shorten the duration of colds.
- PubMed 38719213 — Cochrane review evaluating zinc for the prevention and treatment of colds.
- PubMed 3630857 — Study comparing the absorption of zinc picolinate, citrate, and gluconate in humans.
Technical Documents and Supply — Asuka Kimya
You can contact Asuka Kimya for SDS, TDS, CoA and supply conditions for Zinc Gluconate.
References
- efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
- ods.od.nih.gov
- eur-lex.europa.eu
- ieis.org.tr
- pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
The usage and health information on this page has been compiled from official legislation/institution sources (EFSA, NIH ODS, Turkish Food Codex, EUR-Lex) and independent scientific publications (PubMed). The product is a food supplement/food raw material and does not aim to diagnose or treat diseases.