MANGANESE GLUCONATE DIHYDRATE USP/FCC (Vegan/Vegetarian): A Detailed Overview

What is Manganese Gluconate Dihydrate USP/FCC?

Manganese gluconate dihydrate USP/FCC stands as a common source of manganese commonly found in supplements and food fortification. Originating from gluconic acid and manganese salt, it sits in that sweet spot of being soluble and relatively easy to blend, which no manufacturer takes for granted. As a vegan and vegetarian-friendly ingredient, it answers the call for trace minerals without animal-origin additives. This compound keeps its label clean, making it a go-to for anyone committed to plant-based purity.

Products and Applications

You'll spot manganese gluconate dihydrate spread throughout health aisles—chewables, fortified powders, drink mixes, and specialized nutrition brands that target everything from joint care to daily micronutrient balance. It often slips quietly into raw materials, carrying a role in food products, especially where ‘source of manganese’ can mean the difference between a regular and a high-value product. Food scientists count on its compatibility with other minerals and its non-reactive nature, which enables broad application. It even plays out in some personal care products, especially where trace mineral supplementation overlaps with oral care and skin products aiming to support well-rounded health.

Properties and Structure

Looking up close, manganese gluconate dihydrate forms either light yellow to light brown crystalline powder, with a nearly neutral smell and taste, a relief for formulation. The crystal structure typically falls apart easily into water, making solution prep straightforward for liquid supplements and ready-to-drink formulas. It feels gritty between the fingers but dissolves clean. Each molecule—C12H22MnO14·2H2O—offers predictability batch to batch, which matters for achieving target elemental content. Its relatively high solubility at room temperature is critical, especially for process engineers who look to avoid gritty residue at the bottom of a tank or bottle.

Specifications, Formula, and HS Code

In manufacturing jargon, chemical specs often define trust. Manganese gluconate dihydrate USP/FCC typically carries rigorous requirements for heavy metals, identification, loss on drying, and purity. Its molecular weight, including two water molecules, lands at around 481.29 g/mol. On the trade side, this product ships globally under HS Code 29181600, a label crucial for customs and regulatory tracking. These details are never just paperwork—they shape everything from labeling compliance to international cost calculations. The formula reflects its abundance of hydroxyl groups and coordinated water, stabilizing manganese in a bioavailable form, which is a top priority for clinical and food industry pros.

Physical Forms and Material Types

From the warehouse to the lab, manganese gluconate dihydrate shows up mostly as solid powder or crystalline flakes. Bulk product appears dense and flows reasonably well for a mineral salt. Some suppliers offer pearls or granular versions aimed at enhanced pouring and metering. Liquid forms usually dissolve the powder in purified water, adjusting for stability, and this solution becomes crucial for syrup production and beverage fortifiers. The density usually rests around 1.8–2.0 g/cm³ for the solid forms. No matter the form, the substance looks and handles distinctly—dull finish, slight sheen under lab lamps, fine but not dusty.

Molecular Details and Chemical Profile

Its chemical makeup deserves attention from anyone who cares about trace minerals. Each molecule delivers manganese in a divalent state, chelated by gluconate for digestibility. Chemists appreciate the stability this brings—the gluconate ligands shield the core manganese, sparing it from unwanted reactions during shelf life. This profile means the product avoids harsh chemical edges, which often complicate compounding or mixing in other supplements. The element itself rarely causes flavor complaints, and its gentle color leaves other product attributes mostly untouched.

Safety, Hazards, and Handling

Working with manganese gluconate dihydrate rarely brings major handling headaches, but caution always matters. Given its role as a trace mineral, overexposure remains a risk. Inhaling dust or ingesting significant quantities far above the recommended dietary allowance leads to toxicity concerns—effects like neurological symptoms in extreme cases. For workers, standard lab PPE—gloves, lab coats, dust masks—prevents accidental exposure. The powder doesn’t burn or corrode most equipment, avoiding messier hazards typical of other chemicals. Storage follows standard mineral salt protocol: keep it cool, dry, and away from incompatible acids or oxidation agents. On chemical safety sheets, it shows minimal flammability and only moderate hazard warnings, putting it lower on the risk ladder than many industrial compounds.

Raw Material Considerations and Supply Chain

Looking at raw materials, the vegan and vegetarian sourcing claims come down to how gluconic acid and manganese salts originate. Sourcing relies on plant-based fermentation and mineral extraction, never from animal processing, which brings trust across plant-based certification programs. A solid supply chain ensures every batch meets USP/FCC grade and full traceability. Global instability in mining or transport companies sometimes shakes up supply and cost for manufacturers, an ongoing pain point for anyone relying on regular manganese inputs. The paperwork, audits, and long lead times add up, so well-run companies invest in backup suppliers who certify both vegan standards and full batch-tested purity.

Potential Solutions to Industry Challenges

For anyone wrestling with price spikes, out-of-stock notices, or the push for higher transparency, investing in digital supply chain tracking makes a difference. Keeping certificates of analysis, country-of-origin records, and vegan documentation on hand helps food and supplement businesses stay ahead of regulatory shifts. Automation in material handling—like closed powder transfer and precise dosing—reduces staff risk, waste, and error. Companies driving better storage infrastructure (dehumidified bins, temperature controls) prevent caking or spoilage. For the end-user, ongoing education about recommended intake matters most. With more dietary supplements on the market, educating consumers about safe manganese intake could prevent misuse and health risks.

Conclusion: Everyday Relevance of Manganese Gluconate Dihydrate USP/FCC

What stands out most about manganese gluconate dihydrate USP/FCC is how behind-the-scenes it feels, yet how fundamental it becomes in daily product design. From shelf-stable foods to performance formulas, the ingredient covers a lot of ground with a record of stability, safety, and bioavailability. Industry pros look to it less for drama and more for reliability. The demand for cleaner, transparent, plant-based solutions ties right into its core strengths. Yet, there’s always a call to keep up with new ingredient science, better handling, rigorous safety, and keeping the chain of supply as airtight as possible.