D-(+)-Glucose Anhydrous: Lab Handling & Preparation Guide

D-(+)-Glucose，anhydrous is a high-purity, water-free form of the primary metabolic sugar used widely across cell culture, microbiology, and biochemical assay applications.

Product Name

D-(+)-Glucose, anhydrous

SKU

D274366

Form

Anhydrous crystalline powder

Molecular Formula

C₆H₁₂O₆

Molecular Weight

180.16 g/mol

CAS Number

50-99-7

Solubility

Freely soluble in water; slightly soluble in ethanol

Storage Condition

Store at room temperature in a tightly sealed container, away from moisture

Overview and Properties

D-(+)-Glucose anhydrous (SKU D274366; CAS 50-99-7) is the anhydrous crystalline form of D-glucose, the principal monosaccharide and primary energy substrate in mammalian, microbial, and plant cell systems. With a molecular weight of 180.16 g/mol and the molecular formula C₆H₁₂O₆, it is distinguished from glucose monohydrate by the absence of water of crystallization, making it preferable for gravimetric solution preparation where precise molarity is required.

The compound is a white to off-white free-flowing powder that is freely soluble in water and only slightly soluble in ethanol. Its anhydrous form ensures that the weighed mass corresponds directly to pure glucose, avoiding the 10% mass correction necessary when using the monohydrate form.

Solution Preparation Protocol

Follow the steps below to prepare a sterile D-(+)-glucose stock solution suitable for cell culture and biochemical applications:

1. Calculate the required mass. For a 1 M stock solution, weigh 180.16 mg of D-(+)-Glucose anhydrous per milliliter of final volume (e.g., 18.016 g for 100 mL). Because the product is anhydrous, no correction factor is needed.
2. Dissolve. Add approximately 80% of the target volume of ultrapure (Type 1) water to a clean, dry vessel. Add the weighed glucose powder and stir gently until fully dissolved. Do not heat above 60 °C to avoid caramelization.
3. Adjust volume. Transfer the solution to a volumetric flask and bring to final volume with ultrapure water.
4. Sterilize. Filter through a 0.22 µm membrane filter (PES or cellulose acetate) into pre-sterilized storage vessels. Autoclaving is an alternative (121 °C, 15 min, liquid cycle) but may cause slight browning; filter sterilization is preferred for sensitive applications.
5. Aliquot and label. Dispense into sterile, endotoxin-free tubes. Label with concentration, date, and operator initials.

Common working concentrations: 5–25 mM for cell culture media supplementation; 100 mM–1 M stock solutions for enzymatic assays.

Storage and Stability Guidelines

Solid form: Store D-(+)-Glucose anhydrous at room temperature (15–25 °C) in a tightly sealed container away from light, heat, and humidity. Exposure to atmospheric moisture is the primary risk; the anhydrous powder can absorb water and convert to the monohydrate, altering its effective molecular weight and introducing weighing errors. Use desiccants (silica gel) within the storage container if the laboratory environment is humid.

Prepared solutions: Aqueous glucose solutions support microbial growth and should be stored at 2–8 °C for short-term use (up to 2 weeks) or at −20 °C for long-term storage (up to 6 months). Repeated freeze-thaw cycles should be avoided; single-use aliquots are recommended.

Compatibility: Glucose is stable across a wide pH range (4–9) at room temperature in the short term. Prolonged exposure to strongly acidic or alkaline conditions accelerates degradation. Avoid contact with strong oxidizing agents.

Applications in Research

D-(+)-Glucose anhydrous finds application across a broad range of life-science research disciplines:

• Cell culture media supplementation: Used to adjust or restore glucose concentrations in DMEM, RPMI, and other basal media, particularly in metabolic studies where glucose-free or low-glucose conditions are compared with standard conditions.
• Microbiology and fermentation: Added as the primary carbon and energy source in bacterial, yeast, and fungal culture broths and minimal media.
• Enzymatic and colorimetric assays: Serves as a substrate or standard in glucose oxidase (GOx) assays, hexokinase assays, and glucose tolerance experiments.
• Standard curve preparation: The high purity of the anhydrous form makes it ideal for constructing accurate calibration curves in glucose quantification assays.
• Cryoprotection formulations: Included in some cryopreservation buffers to maintain osmolality.
• Biochemical and metabolic research: Used in studies of glycolysis, the pentose phosphate pathway, insulin signaling, and metabolic flux analysis.

Quality, Safety, and Compliance Notes

Quality origin: D274366 is cross-referenced to VWR catalog item VWRV0188, a biotechnology-grade D-glucose product. Researchers requiring specific purity certificates (CoA), endotoxin data, or lot-specific quality control data should contact Aladdin Scientific technical support or refer to the original supplier documentation.

Safety: D-(+)-Glucose anhydrous is not classified as hazardous under standard laboratory safety regulations (GHS). It is non-toxic, non-flammable, and non-corrosive under normal handling conditions. Standard laboratory personal protective equipment (lab coat, gloves, safety glasses) is nonetheless recommended. Avoid inhalation of fine dust. Refer to the product Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for full regulatory information.

Regulatory note: This product is intended for research use only (RUO) and is not approved for human therapeutic, veterinary, or diagnostic use.

Quality control notice: Per supplier policy, quality control parameters for this item are locked to those of the originating VWR product (VWRV0188) and cannot be updated retroactively after the item was added to the catalog.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between D-(+)-Glucose anhydrous and D-Glucose monohydrate?

D-(+)-Glucose anhydrous (MW 180.16 g/mol) contains no water of crystallization, whereas D-glucose monohydrate (MW 198.17 g/mol) contains one molecule of water per glucose molecule. When preparing solutions by weight, using the anhydrous form avoids the need for a molecular weight correction factor, providing greater accuracy in gravimetric solution preparation.

How should I sterilize a glucose solution prepared from D274366?

Filter sterilization through a 0.22 µm membrane filter (PES or cellulose acetate) is the preferred method, as it avoids the slight browning and potential degradation associated with autoclaving. If autoclaving is necessary, use a liquid cycle at 121 °C for 15 minutes and inspect the solution for discoloration before use.

Can D-(+)-Glucose anhydrous absorb moisture from the air, and how do I prevent this?

Yes, anhydrous glucose is hygroscopic and can absorb atmospheric moisture, gradually converting to the monohydrate form. To prevent this, always reseal the container tightly after each use, store in a cool, dry location, and consider placing a silica gel desiccant inside the storage container or bottle in humid laboratory environments.

Is D274366 suitable for cell culture applications?

D274366 is cross-referenced to a biotechnology-grade VWR product (VWRV0188), indicating suitability for cell culture and biotechnology applications. Researchers requiring lot-specific sterility, endotoxin, or heavy metal data should request a Certificate of Analysis from Aladdin Scientific prior to use.

What are the recommended storage conditions for prepared glucose stock solutions?

Prepared aqueous glucose solutions should be stored at 2–8 °C for short-term use (up to approximately 2 weeks) or at −20 °C for longer-term storage (up to approximately 6 months). All solutions should be sterile-filtered before storage, clearly labeled, and dispensed into single-use aliquots to avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.

References

1. VWR International. D-Glucose for Biotechnology, catalog number VWRV0188. VWR US online store product page.
2. Stryer L, Berg JM, Tymoczko JL. Biochemistry, 8th edition. W.H. Freeman; 2015. Chapter on glycolysis and glucose metabolism.
3. Sigma-Aldrich/Merck. D-(+)-Glucose product specification sheet, CAS 50-99-7. Merck Life Science technical documentation.

Products are supplied for research and development use only. Not for use in humans, animals, diagnosis, or therapy.