Properties & extraction
Dextrose is a naturally occurring carbohydrate, synonymous with D-glucose. The «D» stands for «Dexter» and the name Dextrose is based on this. «Dexter» is called in Latin right, as dextrose in aqueous solution turns the direction of linearly polarized light to the right.
Dextrose or D-glucose is present in solid form and is probably the most common simple sugar. D-glucose is of great importance as a building block for many other double and multiple sugars. In addition, it occurs as a central component of metabolism in all living organisms.
Industrially, dextrose is obtained by enzymatic hydrolysis from starch. Corn, potatoes, rice, wheat, and rye are the main sources of starch. Glucose was isolated from raisins for the first time in 1747.
Application
In the food sector, glucose is mainly used to produce fructose and glucose-containing products.
It serves as a sweetener, humectant, and volume enhancer, but glucose has less sweetness than table sugar (saccharose).
Various glucose sources are also used in the production of alcoholic beverages, such as grape juice in the production of wine or malt in the production of beer. In this process, the glucose sources are fermented to ethanol.
In medicine, glucose has a fixed place, as the body needs it. As oral tablets, gels, or as an injection solution, it provides fast energy when needed. For diarrhea, for example, dextrose, together with salts in a drinking and infusion solution, helps to compensate for fluid, energy, and salt loss.
Glucose is the most important carbohydrate for energy metabolism. For athletes or people with diabetes, it serves as a short-term energy kick when blood sugar levels drop. In the body, dextrose is particularly important for the brain and red blood cells. The brain covers almost 100 percent of its energy needs from glucose.
Biotechnologically, important products such as citric acid, ethanol and penicillin can be obtained from glucose.
Availability & Prices
In mid-2023, prices reached a historically high level. This was due to increased energy costs (gas, electricity) and commodity prices (corn and wheat) in Europe. In addition, freight costs from China were very high.
From the second half of 2023 and in 2024, the situation has improved so far, also due to the rather weak demand.
Synonyms
Dextrose
D-glucose
D- (+)-glucose
Starch sugar (outdated)
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