CHROMIUM (Ⅲ) D-GLUCONATE (Vegan/Vegetarian) — In-Depth Product Description

What is CHROMIUM (Ⅲ) D-GLUCONATE?

CHROMIUM (Ⅲ) D-GLUCONATE (Vegan/Vegetarian) stands as a chromium(III) salt of gluconic acid, recognized by nutritionists and food technologists for its use as a dietary supplement. The compound offers an effective way for supplement formulators aiming to develop vegan or vegetarian products where the ingredient origins matter—animal-derived inputs do not suit all customers. This source of trivalent chromium supports normal carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, recognized by various food authorities for its bioavailability compared to inorganic salts.

Products and Applications

Manufacturers turn to this crystalline or powder raw material for a range of uses—nutritional boosters in multivitamins, mineral blends, or functional beverages. Tablet and capsule makers prefer it because it blends well with excipients, holding up under direct compression. Chromic supplements made for athletes, people with blood sugar concerns, or populations at risk of deficiency rely on this form for its established safety profile, plant-based credentials, and solubility in water-based systems.

Properties and Structure

Chemically, CHROMIUM (Ⅲ) D-GLUCONATE features chromium in the +3 oxidation state, complexed with gluconate anions. Its empirical formula runs C12H22CrO14, marking a specific molecular identity, with a molar mass close to 430.3 g/mol. The structure embeds chromium ions within an organic framework that improves solubility compared to basic chromium salts. This configuration generally helps avoid the taste and bioavailability obstacles seen in less sophisticated forms like chromium chloride.

Physical Appearance and Specifications

Commercially, this ingredient appears as a pale blue or blue-green solid. Depending on processing, you find it as fine powder, flaky material, small pearls, or, less commonly, as crystalline plates. Flakes and powder particles usually exhibit rapid dissolution in water, useful for formulating solutions and concentrates. Bulk density measures vary, but most lots pattern within 0.65–0.80 g/cm³ for powder. Consistency in density matters during blending for accurate dosing and stability in the final product formulation. Liquids and ready-to-use solutions also exist for technical, food, or supplement applications, offering the same vegan and vegetarian guarantee.

HS Code and Regulatory Classification

For customs and trade, CHROMIUM (Ⅲ) D-GLUCONATE meets the requirements for HS Code 29181600—covering gluconates and their derivatives. Importers benefit from this specific code, which simplifies global shipping, labeling, and documentation. Brands looking to certify products as plant-based or clean-label find it valuable to have all details—origin, code, safety records—ready for both authorities and consumers. The traceability linked with the raw material’s code makes compliance easier, especially under regulations across Europe, North America, and Asia.

Chemical Safety, Hazards, Handling

Among chromium salts, the trivalent chromium in this substance shows a much lower toxicity profile than the hexavalent variety, well known as an industrial hazard. Still, safety sheets list prudent precautions—wear gloves, goggles, dust mask during weighing or transfer. Inhalation of dust or ingestion of undissolved material should be avoided; accidental contact may irritate mucous membranes. Storage calls for sealed containers, kept cool and dry, away from reactive substances. Laboratories and food facilities rely on updated hazard communication data, including classification as non-carcinogenic at typical dietary exposure. The ratio of regulatory controls to actual human risk stays low, matching its long record of use in fortified categories.

Raw Material Sourcing and Supply Chain

Reliable production starts with certified gluconic acid sourced from fermentation—often corn or other plant sugars. Process engineers handle the controlled addition of chromium(III) salts under strict GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) conditions. Each batch undergoes careful purification, testing for heavy metals and microbiological contaminants, and verification of vegan/vegetarian status through full supply chain audits. The material’s documentation typically includes molecular structure confirmation (spectroscopy), trace element profiles, allergen statements, and batch-specific Certificates of Analysis. Manufacturers who supply finished goods rely heavily on this traceability to offer reliable, clean-label, and safe supplements for the health-conscious or dietary-restricted consumer.