Glucono Delta Lactone Glucono delta lactone is a slow-release acidulant and sequestrant formed through glucose fermentation that gradually hydrolyzes to gluconic acid over 1-2 hours, providing controlled pH reduction, protein coagulation, and mineral chelation without initial sourness. In the food industry, it excels as a clean-label processor for silken tofu production, natural leavening in bakery, and stabilizer in dairy with pH drop from 6.0 to 3.5 over time, heat stability up to 120°C, and no off-flavors during extended reactions.