The key difference between gluconic acid and glucuronic acid is that gluconic acid is an aliphatic compound, whereas glucuronic acid is a cyclic compound.
Gluconic acid and glucuronic acid are acidic compounds, and they are fermentation products in Kombucha tea. However, they have different chemical and physical properties. Overall, both are carboxylic acid compounds.
CONTENT
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Gluconic Acid
3. What is Glucuronic Acid
4. Side by Side Comparison – Gluconic Acid vs Glucuronic Acid in Tabular Form
5. Summary
What is Gluconic Acid?
Gluconic acid is an organic compound having the chemical formula C6H12O7. Its structural formula is HOCH2(CHOH)4COOH. The structural formula indicates that this compound is a carboxylic compound and it is also a linear (aliphatic) structure, which has no aromatic or cyclic structures.
Figure 01: Structure of Gluconic Acid
In aqueous solutions having a neutral pH, this compound exists as the gluconate ion, and this gluconate ion naturally occurs in many plants (ex: in fruit, honey, wine, etc.) as gluconate salts, gluconate esters, etc. Further, it is important as a food additive, as a chelating agent for metal ions such as calcium ions, ferrous ion, etc.
What is Glucuronic Acid?
Glucuronic acid is an organic compound having the chemical formula C6H10O7. It is a uronic acid, and we can isolate glucuronic acid from urine. Further, this compound is present in many gums such as Arabic gums. Moreover, this compound is important for the metabolism of microorganisms, plants, and animals as well.
Figure 02: Structure of Glucuronic Acid
When considering the properties, this acid comes from glucose in which the sixth carbon atom has been oxidized to form a carboxylic acid functional group. Moreover, the molar mass of glucuronic acid is 194.139 g/mol. The melting point can range from 159 to 161 °C.
What is the Difference Between Gluconic Acid and Glucuronic Acid?
Gluconic acid is an organic compound having the chemical formula C6H12O7 while Glucuronic acid is an organic compound having the chemical formula C6H10O7. So, the key difference between gluconic acid and glucuronic acid is that gluconic acid is an aliphatic compound, whereas glucuronic acid is a cyclic compound.
Furthermore, gluconic acid occurs naturally in many plants (ex: in fruit, honey, wine, etc.) while glucuronic acid is present in urine and gums such as Arabic gum, etc.
Below infographic summarizes the difference between gluconic acid and glucuronic acid.
Summary – Gluconic Acid vs Glucuronic Acid
Gluconic acid is an organic compound having the chemical formula C6H12O7 while Glucuronic acid is an organic compound having the chemical formula C6H10O7. The key difference between gluconic acid and glucuronic acid is that gluconic acid is an aliphatic compound, while glucuronic acid is a cyclic compound.
Reference:
1. “Gluconic Acid.” National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Compound Database, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Available here.
Image Courtesy:
1. “D-Gluconsäure Keilstrich” By NEUROtiker – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Beta D-Glucuronic acid” By Yikrazuul – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia