Glucuronolactone

Glucuronolactone or Glucurolactone (INN) is a naturally occurring substance that is an important structural component of nearly all connective tissues.<ref name="Merck"/> It is sometimes used in energy drinks.<ref name=":0">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Unfounded claims<ref name=":1">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> that glucuronolactone can be used to reduce "brain fog"<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> are based on research conducted on energy drinks that contain other active ingredients that have been shown to improve cognitive function, such as caffeine. Glucuronolactone is also found in many plant gums.<ref name="Merck"/>

Physical and chemical properties

Glucuronolactone is a white solid odorless compound, soluble in hot and cold water. Its melting point ranges from 176 to 178 °C.<ref name="Merck"/> The compound can exist in a monocyclic aldehyde form or in a bicyclic hemiacetal (lactol) form.

File:Glucuronolactone-hemiacetal.svg

Lactol form of glucuronolactone

Template:Clear left

History

It is unknown if glucuronolactone is safe for human consumption due to a lack of proper human or animal trials. However, it likely has limited effects on the human body.<ref name=":2">Template:Cite journal</ref> Furthermore research on isolated supplements of glucuronolactone is limited, no warnings appear on the Food and Drug Administration website regarding its potential to cause brain tumors or other maladies.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Uses

Glucuronolactone is an ingredient used in some energy drinks,<ref name=":0"/> often in unnaturally high doses. Research into Glucuronolactone is too limited to assert claims about its safety<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has concluded that it is unlikely that glucurono-γ-lactone would have any interaction with caffeine, taurine, alcohol or the effects of exercise. The Panel also concluded, based on the data available, that additive interactions between taurine and caffeine on diuretic effects are unlikely.<ref name=":2" />

According to The Merck Index, glucuronolactone is used as a detoxicant.<ref>Merck Index, 14th ed., 4467</ref>

Glucuronolactone is also metabolized to glucaric acid, xylitol, and L-xylulose, and humans may also be able to use glucuronolactone as a precursor for ascorbic acid synthesis.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Glucuronolactone is approved in China and Japan as an over-the-counter "hepatoprotectant",<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> though there is a conspicuous lack of systematic reviews on this use.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

See also

• Glucuronic acid
• Glucono delta-lactone
• International Programme on Chemical Safety