Copper gluconate USP/FCC is a mineral supplement and food additive, sought after by people following vegan and vegetarian diets. It delivers copper, a trace element the body leans on for enzyme production and red blood cell maintenance. Sourced from gluconic acid, it offers an alternative to animal-based or synthetic copper compounds. This material usually comes in solid form, appearing as blue-green crystals, thin flakes, or a fine powder. The vivid color shows the presence of copper in the +2 oxidation state. Its CAS number, 527-09-3, links it to a long record of scientific research and industrial application. The HS Code falls under 29181600, grouping it with similar gluconates traded globally for nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, and food applications. I’ve seen this compound on supplement ingredient lists and have talked with formulators who pick it for its purity and predictable behavior under FDA guidelines.
The molecular formula for copper gluconate is C12H22CuO14, and its structure is a striking example of how organic acids bind metals. The compound’s molecule consists of copper ions chelated by gluconate ligands, meaning two gluconate molecules surround and stabilize the copper ion. These ligands prevent rapid oxidation and deliver copper efficiently into biological systems. The molecular weight reaches 453.84 g/mol, information every quality assurance team needs to keep nearby. Copper gluconate’s density hovers near 0.88 g/mL as a powder, and around 2.4 g/cm3 in its pure crystalline form. That low bulk density makes it fluffier than many salts, which can affect dosing and storage. In daily work, weighing out copper gluconate involves care — it floats in the air and can stick to equipment, requiring strict weigh-room protocols to control losses and cross-contamination.
Copper gluconate presents itself primarily as a blue-green, odorless, and practically tasteless solid. The substance often takes the shape of a powder or small crystals, though some suppliers offer it in pearl, flake, or larger crystalline forms depending on the processing method. In laboratories and production lines, handling powdery copper gluconate requires gentle control to avoid unnecessary dust. Its solubility helps blend it into tablets, syrups, or drinks. About 1g of copper gluconate dissolves in just under 100mL of cold water, making it highly suitable for solutions and clear supplements. I have seen tablet manufacturers lean on this solubility for uniform copper delivery in multi-vitamin blends. Solutions made from this raw material often get prepared at exact concentrations — the precise dosing reduces resource waste and ensures label claims remain accurate. Liquid copper gluconate solutions are less common but provide flexibility for fortifying beverages or animal feeds where powder isn’t ideal.
Safety matters, especially with minerals that can build up in the body. Even though copper is essential, the FDA and EFSA lay down strict limits on copper use, especially when it comes to supplements and food. Copper gluconate, labeled for vegan or vegetarian use, comes from non-animal, plant-based fermentation of glucose, which ensures ethical sourcing and lowers contamination risk. This appeals to today’s conscious consumers — I’ve heard clients demand proof of vegan authenticity for every ingredient. Raw materials must be stringently tested for heavy metal contamination, as copper mines sometimes have trace arsenic, lead, or mercury. Each batch of copper gluconate runs through HPLC and ICP-OES labs for purity, copper content, and unwanted byproducts. As a chemical, it remains stable in sealed containers, away from acids or strong oxidizers, and doesn’t decompose unless heated past 170°C. The material ranks as non-flammable and, in low doses, non-hazardous to humans; chronic exposure, as with all heavy metals, causes toxicity over time. On the GHS scale, pure copper gluconate needs the ‘harmful if ingested in large quantities’ label but does not carry a ‘hazardous to the environment’ signal, thanks to rapid dilution in wastewater and quick breakdown in the soil. Protective gloves, goggles, and dust masks count as standard gear wherever powdered raw materials get handled.
Copper gluconate addresses a key health issue: widespread dietary copper deficiency, especially among strict vegans, individuals with impaired absorption, or people in low-income regions. In my experience, nutritionists pay close attention to copper’s role in iron metabolism, neural health, and immune responses. While plant-based diets avoid animal cruelties, they sometimes fall short on micronutrients like copper. Supplementing with copper gluconate bridges this gap without veering into animal-based or synthetic chemicals that some shoppers want to avoid. The food industry likes copper gluconate because it dissolves easily, ships safely, and adds color alongside nutrition.
Yet challenges abound. Some industry players cut corners on raw material testing, occasionally leading to contaminated or impure copper gluconate batches. Regulatory enforcement needs to stay tight — every batch should include not only standard copper assays but also thorough heavy metal screens and microbial checks. For smaller supplement brands, working with trusted suppliers who provide certificates of analysis every time matters more than ever. Anyone buying in bulk should consider random third-party lab checks, even if it slows the supply chain. On an environmental front, more recycling and recovery from electronic waste could supply the base copper, lowering mining impacts. Cleaner fermentation processes and transparent supply chains win consumer trust and support real world sustainability goals.
Through experience in food and supplement formulation, I’ve seen copper gluconate serve as an accessible, versatile raw material. It functions not just as a chemical but as an ethical link between food innovation and public health, offering real, measurable benefits to people who rely on plant-based sources for their micronutrients. Keeping the supply both pure and safe protects users and ensures this compound will keep playing its part for vegans, vegetarians, and anyone else who wants a safe, science-backed way to meet copper needs.
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