Glucono Delta Lactone

Glucono Delta Lactone (GDL), also known as Gluconolactone, is a naturally occurring food ingredient and is among the class of ingredients known as acidulants used to reduce the pH of food, slowing down spoilage and preventing discolouration of the final food product. GDL is widely used in products such as tofu, honey, fruit juices and wine. It improves the quality and stability of food products and has applications as an acidifier and as a curing, pickling and leavening agent. Pure GDL is a white odourless crystalline powder. It is neutral, but hydrolyses slowly in water to gluconic acid when its initial sweet taste becomes slightly acidic, making the final flavour much less tart than that of other acidifiers.