Glucuronolactone
Encyclopedia
Glucuronolactone is a naturally occurring chemical that is an important structural component of nearly all connective tissue
s. Glucuronolactone is also found in many plant gums.
form or in a bicyclic
hemiacetal
(lactol
) form.
s that it was a Vietnam War
-era drug manufactured by the American government. The rumor
goes on to say that it was banned due to several brain tumor
-related deaths. The rumor has since been proven false, as neither the cited British Medical Journal
article nor the "banning of its consumption" ever occurred. Furthermore, no warnings appear on the Food and Drug Administration
website regarding its potential to cause brain tumors or other maladies.
. In addition, humans may be able to use glucuronolactone as a precursor for ascorbic acid
synthesis. According to The Merck Index, it is also used as a detoxicant.
Glucuronolactone is a popular ingredient in energy drinks with claims that it detoxifies the body. Although levels of glucuronolactone in energy drinks can far exceed those found in the rest of the diet, the European Food Safety Authority
(EFSA) has concluded that exposure to glucuronolactone from regular consumption of energy drinks is not a safety concern. The no observable adverse effect level of glucuronolactone is 1000 mg/kg/day.
Connective tissue
"Connective tissue" is a fibrous tissue. It is one of the four traditional classes of tissues . Connective Tissue is found throughout the body.In fact the whole framework of the skeleton and the different specialized connective tissues from the crown of the head to the toes determine the form of...
s. Glucuronolactone is also found in many plant gums.
Physical and chemical properties
Glucuronolactone is a white solid odorless compound, soluble in hot and cold water. Its melting point ranges from 176-178 °C. The compound can exist in a monocyclic aldehydeAldehyde
An aldehyde is an organic compound containing a formyl group. This functional group, with the structure R-CHO, consists of a carbonyl center bonded to hydrogen and an R group....
form or in a bicyclic
Bicyclic molecule
A bicyclic molecule is a molecule that features two fused rings. Bicyclic molecules occur widely in organic and inorganic compounds.Fusion of the rings can occur in three ways:...
hemiacetal
Hemiacetal
Hemiacetals and hemiketals are compounds that are derived from aldehydes and ketones respectively. The Greek word hèmi means half...
(lactol
Lactol
In organic chemistry, a lactol is the cyclic equivalent of a hemiacetal or a hemiketal.The compound is formed by the intramolecular nucleophilic addition of a hydroxyl group to the carbonyl group of an aldehyde or a ketone....
) form.
History
Glucuronolactone has received some notoriety due to urban legendUrban legend
An urban legend, urban myth, urban tale, or contemporary legend, is a form of modern folklore consisting of stories that may or may not have been believed by their tellers to be true...
s that it was a Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
-era drug manufactured by the American government. The rumor
Rumor
A rumor or rumour is often viewed as "an unverified account or explanation of events circulating from person to person and pertaining to an object, event, or issue in public concern" However, a review of the research on rumor conducted by Pendleton in 1998 found that research across sociology,...
goes on to say that it was banned due to several brain tumor
Brain tumor
A brain tumor is an intracranial solid neoplasm, a tumor within the brain or the central spinal canal.Brain tumors include all tumors inside the cranium or in the central spinal canal...
-related deaths. The rumor has since been proven false, as neither the cited British Medical Journal
British Medical Journal
BMJ is a partially open-access peer-reviewed medical journal. Originally called the British Medical Journal, the title was officially shortened to BMJ in 1988. The journal is published by the BMJ Group, a wholly owned subsidiary of the British Medical Association...
article nor the "banning of its consumption" ever occurred. Furthermore, no warnings appear on the Food and Drug Administration
Food and Drug Administration
The Food and Drug Administration is an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, one of the United States federal executive departments...
website regarding its potential to cause brain tumors or other maladies.
Uses
Glucuronolactone is rapidly absorbed and metabolised into non-toxic metabolites such as xyluloseXylulose
Xylulose is a ketopentose, a monosaccharide containing five carbon atoms, and including a ketone functional group. It has the chemical formula 5105. In nature, it occurs in both the L- and D-enantiomers.- Pathology :...
. In addition, humans may be able to use glucuronolactone as a precursor for ascorbic acid
Ascorbic acid
Ascorbic acid is a naturally occurring organic compound with antioxidant properties. It is a white solid, but impure samples can appear yellowish. It dissolves well in water to give mildly acidic solutions. Ascorbic acid is one form of vitamin C. The name is derived from a- and scorbutus , the...
synthesis. According to The Merck Index, it is also used as a detoxicant.
Glucuronolactone is a popular ingredient in energy drinks with claims that it detoxifies the body. Although levels of glucuronolactone in energy drinks can far exceed those found in the rest of the diet, the European Food Safety Authority
European Food Safety Authority
The European Food Safety Authority is an agency of the European Union that provides independent scientific advice and communication on existing and emerging risks associated with the food chain, created by European Regulation 178/2002....
(EFSA) has concluded that exposure to glucuronolactone from regular consumption of energy drinks is not a safety concern. The no observable adverse effect level of glucuronolactone is 1000 mg/kg/day.
See also
- Glucuronic acidGlucuronic acidGlucuronic acid is a carboxylic acid. Its structure is similar to that of glucose. However, glucuronic acid's sixth carbon is oxidized to a carboxylic acid...
- Glucono delta-lactoneGlucono delta-lactoneGlucono delta-lactone is a naturally-occurring food additive with the E number E575 used as a sequestrant, an acidifier, or a curing, pickling, or leavening agent. It is a lactone of D-gluconic acid. Pure GDL is a white odorless crystalline powder.GDL is commonly found in honey, fruit juices,...
- International Programme on Chemical SafetyInternational Programme on Chemical SafetyThe International Programme on Chemical Safety was formed in 1980 and is a collaboration between three United Nations bodies—the World Health Organization, the International Labour Organization and the United Nations Environment Programme to establish the scientific basis for safe use of...