Dissolvine GL-47-S GLDA 47% solution

Dissolvine GL-47-S / GLDA

Tetrasodium glutamate diacetate (INCI)

Glutamic acid, N,N-diacetic acid, tetrasodium salt

47% solution

Technical grade

Glutamic acid, N,N-diacetic acid, tetrasodium salt — usually shortened to GLDA or tetrasodium glutamate diacetate is a modern, biodegradable chelating agent (metal-ion binder). GLDA is an excellent, eco-friendly chelator for cosmetics

Key Properties:

• Form supplied: clear aqueous solution, most commonly 47% w/w active (Dissolvine GL-47-S).  

• Appearance: clear liquid; color ≤ 250 APHA (for GL-47-S). 

• Molecular weight (GLDA-Na₄): 351.1 g·mol⁻¹. 

• pH (1% w/v): ~11.0–11.8 (alkaline). 

• Density (GL-47-S): ~1.40 g/mL at 20 °C. 

• Crystallization point: ≤ –15 °C (stays liquid in cold storage). 

• Water solubility: miscible; very high. 

• Chelation strength: binds hard-water ions (Ca²⁺/Mg²⁺) and many transition metals. Reported Ca²⁺ stability constants vary with method/ionic strength — literature gives logK(CaL) ≈ 6.4 (applied table) and ≈ 8.18 at infinite dilution; logK(MgL) ≈ 5.5–7.3. (Different data sets use different reference states.) 

• Biodegradability: readily biodegradable under OECD 301 tests (designed to pass ≥60%/70% thresholds within 28 days).

• Chemical Formula: C₁₀H₁₂N₂Na₄O₈
• Physical Form: Clear, colourless to pale yellow liquid (40% concentration in water).
• Chelating Agent: EDTA tetrasodium binds with metal ions, forming stable complexes that prevent the metal ions from participating in undesirable reactions.

Common Uses of GLDA:

GLDA replaces older chelants (EDTA/NTA) in many formulations because it’s effective, broad-pH, and more environmentally friendly.

• Household & I&I cleaning: laundry detergents, automatic dish-wash, bathroom & hard-surface cleaners; improves detergency in hard water, inhibits scale/soap scum, boosts stain removal. 

• Personal care & cosmetics: shampoos, body washes, skin cleansers — chelates trace metals to protect colorants/surfactants and enhance preservative performance. (see below for more details)

• Bleach & peroxide systems: stabilizes perborate/percarbonate and peroxide-sensitive surfactants. 

• Metal cleaning & process aids: metal cleaners, electroplating, scale removal at high pH; also used in textile processing and some agricultural formulations.

Using GLDA in cosmetics

• Chelation: Binds Ca²⁺/Mg²⁺/Fe³⁺/Cu²⁺ to prevent color change, rancidity, and preservative drag.

• Preservation boost: Inhibits metal-catalyzed microbial defenses; often lets you lower total preservative or improve robustness (esp. with organic acid systems).

• Foam & feel: Reduces soap scum in wash-offs; keeps surfactant systems brighter and foam creamier.

• Stability: Helps keep fragrance, botanical extracts, and vitamin solutions (e.g., C derivatives) from discoloring.

• Sustainability: Readily biodegradable; widely COSMOS/ECOCERT acceptable and seen as a more natural alternative to EDTA.

Use levels & pH

• Typical dose: 0.1–0.3% for most leave-ons; 0.2–0.6% for rinse-offs; up to 1.0% in very hard water or peroxide/bleach-adjacent systems (e.g., teeth whitening gels).

• pH range: Works broadly (~pH 3–12). Chelation potency improves as pH rises; at low pH use the higher end of the range.

Where it shines (examples)

• Shampoo / body wash / face wash: 0.2–0.4% to keep clarity, color, and foam; helps with hard-water mildness.

• Conditioner / hair mask: 0.1–0.3% with BTAC or other quats—compatible; reduces dulling from metals.

• Deodorant (anhydrous sticks & roll-ons): 0.2–0.5% in water phase to support weak-acid systems (sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate).

• Serums / toners with niacinamide, panthenol, HA: 0.1–0.2% to protect from trace metals that cause yellowing.

• Vitamin C (ascorbic) / ferulic serums: 0.2–0.4% to slow oxidation and copper/iron discoloration.

• Soaps & syndet bars: 0.3–0.6% in lye water or slurry to reduce soap scum and keep fragrance true.

• Hair bleach / peroxide developers: 0.5–1.0% to stabilize peroxide (if you formulate such products).

Formulating tips

• Phase & order: Add to water phase early; it’s fully water-soluble. No heating required.

• Electrolyte impact: Adds some sodium/ionic strength—usually negligible for viscosity, but in salt-thickened systems, check your curve.

• Compatibility: Plays nicely with anionic, nonionic, amphoteric, and cationic systems; safe with most gums, polymers, and silicones.

• Color/fragrance: Helps keep botanicals bright; can reduce discoloration with vanilla/aldehydic notes.

• Preservatives it pairs well with: Phenoxyethanol/ethylhexylglycerin, benzoates/sorbates (pH-controlled), organic acids (gluconolactone + sodium benzoate), benzyl alcohol systems.

EDTA vs. GLDA 

• Chelation strength: EDTA is a touch stronger on some metals, but GLDA is “strong enough” for most cosmetic tasks.

• Green profile: GLDA wins—readily biodegradable, bio-based origin.

• Switching: Start at GLDA ≈ EDTA wt%; if colour or preservation is borderline, nudge GLDA up by 0.05–0.1%.

Health & Safety

PLEASE NOTE: This product is not for human or animal consumption.