Anhydrous Glucose: Characteristics, Applications, and Safety

What is Anhydrous Glucose?

Anhydrous glucose, also known by its chemical name D-glucose, brings practical value to many corners of industry and daily life. This substance stands out for its molecular formula C₆H₁₂O₆. Unlike its hydrated cousin, dextrose monohydrate, anhydrous glucose lacks water in its crystal structure, giving it unique physical and chemical behaviors. Boasting a molecular weight of 180.16 g/mol, it can be identified in forms ranging from crisp white powders to translucent flakes, solid pearls, or clear crystalline material. While some suppliers offer anhydrous glucose as a dense powder, others supply it in a compact, granular solid, making it adaptable for different production lines and handling needs. Those who handle bulk commodities should note that its typical density falls near 1.54 g/cm³, and this makes storage and transport calculations reliable.

Physical Properties and Forms

This glucose variant doesn’t dissolve in organic solvents like ether but meets water readily, where it forms clear, stable solutions ready for use in food, pharmaceuticals, and fermentation. Its crystal system stabilizes in the alpha form at lower temperatures. Flakes, solid powders, pearls, and even high-purity crystals line up to meet the needs of different sectors. For manufacturers, the solid state of anhydrous glucose brings shelf stability, resisting moisture absorption, so it remains dry in storage rooms if kept sealed. When poured, the powder flows easily, not clumping under standard conditions. For liquid solution blending, it disperses cleanly, leaving no significant residue.

Chemical Structure and Specifications

The backbone of anhydrous glucose features a simple, six-carbon sugar structure, categorized as a monosaccharide. Its open-chain and ring forms make it reactive yet predictable in chemical processes. Regarding product specifications, suppliers usually offer purity above 99 percent, with low levels of impurities such as heavy metals or chloride, following regulatory standards across food and pharmaceutical industries. In solid form, color stays between colorless and pure white, with no odor. For any buyer, knowing the HS Code — typically 17023000 under global trade guidance — clears logistics questions for international shipments, making compliance easier for customs documentation.

Applications Using Safe, Responsible Practices

Those who work in chemical plants, labs, or industrial kitchens have seen firsthand how anhydrous glucose can make or break a process. It acts as a primary raw material for vitamin C synthesis, enters energy drinks, medical intravenous solutions, baked goods, and even fermentation vats. Anhydrous glucose crystals, being water-free, prevent unwanted side reactions in more sensitive pharmaceutical recipes. Powder or pearls can sweeten syrups efficiently. When poured into pharmaceutical solutions, its high purity supports patient safety. Rust never gets a foothold in tightly-sealed packages, which remain safe to handle in a well-ventilated workspace.

Material Handling, Safety, and Environmental Aspects

Anhydrous glucose is not classified as hazardous, but every chemical deserves respect. It does not pose significant inhalation or skin contact hazards when standard precautions are followed, such as gloves and eye protection in dusty environments. Spills clean up with a sweep, no toxic fumes, no serious harm from accidental contact on skin. Its environmental footprint is small, as it degrades naturally, and the solid product, if kept dry, does not attract pests or cause microbial growth. In production plants, the biggest risk comes from dusty air when pouring or mixing, so ventilation and dust control keep workers comfortable and equipment functioning. The material resists combustion, though dust clouds in the right concentration might ignite under rare, extreme conditions, making dust management a sensible priority.

Challenges and Practical Recommendations

From my own experience and review of safety data, workers should not eat or drink around handling stations. Avoiding open food and drink containers in the vicinity of processing keeps material pure and employees safe. For shipping and storage, using sealed, food-grade bags blocks out moisture, preserving the crystal structure. For production lines with frequent wash-downs or high humidity, dedicated containers with desiccant pouches add an extra layer of protection. If manufacturing requires solution-based blending, warm water dissolves the solid quickly with gentle agitation, sidestepping clumps and making downstream use reliable.

Summary Table: Specifications and Trade Information

Product: Anhydrous Glucose
HS Code: 17023000
Molecular Formula: C₆H₁₂O₆
Molar Mass: 180.16 g/mol
Density: 1.54 g/cm³ (approximate, solid form)
Common Forms: Powder, Flake, Crystal, Pearl, Solution
Purity (Typical): ≥99%
Color: Colorless to white
Odor: None
Solubility: Freely soluble in water, insoluble in ether
Safety: Non-toxic, not classified as hazardous, safe for food and pharma with precautions

Looking Ahead

Quality standards for anhydrous glucose will keep evolving as food and drug regulations become more strict. The raw material role of this glucose form puts it at the core of ingredient integrity for medicines and foods, so ongoing investment in purification and contamination control matters as much as cost and convenience. Supply chains should focus on traceability, and workplaces can minimize waste and dust, keeping both employees and end-users safe. For those involved in research and development, sustainable sourcing – from non-GMO corn or alternative crops – serves both consumer expectations and regulatory compliance.