Gluconic acid (GA) is typically a colorless to pale yellow, clear syrup‑like liquid that is readily soluble in water, and its aqueous solution exhibits a mild acidic nature. Its chemical properties stem from its molecular structure, which contains one aldehyde group and multiple hydroxyl groups: as an organic acid, it can form salts with bases (e.g., sodium gluconate); more importantly, this structure imparts strong reducing properties and excellent chelating ability, enabling it to form stable, water‑soluble complexes with various metal ions such as calcium and iron. Based on these characteristics, the primary uses of gluconic acid and its salts include: serving as an acidity regulator and preservative in the food industry; acting as an environmentally friendly metal chelator and scale remover in detergents and cleaning products; functioning as a pH adjuster, calcium supplement, and chelating excipient in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics; additionally, they are employed in industrial fields such as textile dyeing, metal surface treatment, and water stabilizers.