The development of cement and concrete additive: based on xylonic acid derived via bioconversion of xylose.

The present work attempted to utilize xylose by converting it to an aldonic acid. In the present study, xylose was converted to xylonic acid by using commercial glucose oxidase enzyme, palladium catalysis, and microbial bioconversion. The enzyme conversion was successfully done using a commercial glucose oxidase. The microbial conversion with Gluconobactor oxydans proceeded even with the presence of a large amount of lignosulfonate. Thus obtained xylonic acid products were evaluated as a cement dispersing agent in cement and concrete tests. It was found that xylonic acid is approximately twice as effective as lignosulfonate. Xylonic acid can be effectively utilized in concrete water reducer application.