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Re: gluconic acid/vitamin C



> >What is more, gluconate will not be an effective reducing agent
> >for metal ions.  Glucose itself can be, but the aldehyde group on
> >glucose has already been oxidised when we get to the acid.  The OH
> >groups won't reduce metal ions.
> 
> Well, actually the gluconate is a reducing agent in the same manner as 
> ascorbic acid is a reducing agent (although not as strong as ascorbate). 

	The reason that ascorbic acid is a reducing agent is that it has a 
double bond in the carbon chain.  Gluconic acid does not.

-- 
Paul Sears        Ottawa, Canada