Dextrose Monohydrate: Uses, Applications & Buying Guide for Canadian Labs and Manufacturers
Dextrose monohydrate, C₆H₁₂O₆·H₂O, is the crystalline, water-bound form of glucose — a primary carbon and energy source in microbial and cell culture media, and a compound with wide relevance across brewing, food, and pharmaceutical manufacturing generally. Third Space Bio supplies dextrose monohydrate at practical prices, so it's stocked for the run, not rationed to save budget.
At a glance
| CAS Number | 14431-43-7 |
|---|---|
| Formula | C₆H₁₂O₆·H₂O |
| Common name | Dextrose monohydrate, glucose monohydrate |
| Pack sizes | 250 g ($10), 500 g ($16), 1 kg ($28) |
| Ships from | Peterborough, ON — Canada-wide delivery |
Applications
Microbial & cell culture media
As a readily metabolizable carbon source, dextrose is a default energy input in a wide range of culture media formulations, supporting consistent, predictable microbial and cell growth.
Brewing & fermentation
Dextrose is used industry-wide as a highly fermentable priming and boosting sugar — yeast metabolizes it directly without the extra enzymatic step required for more complex sugars, which is why it's a common choice for bottle conditioning and adjunct fermentation. Commercial and homebrew dextrose intended for that purpose is typically produced and certified to a food-grade standard; confirm a product's grade before using it in anything meant for consumption.
Food & pharmaceutical formulation
Dextrose's mild sweetness and easy solubility make it a common food ingredient and excipient at large, including in oral rehydration and intravenous formulations at the pharmaceutical grade — applications that require food- or pharma-grade certified material, which is a separate certification standard entirely.
Where it fits for food, pharma & research buyers
Dextrose sits at the center of Third Space Bio's catalog because its buyer base is broader than most reagents — as a compound, dextrose is used by craft brewers, food and beverage manufacturers, supplement brands, and pharmaceutical formulators, alongside the research labs and universities on the core email list. Third Space Bio's product is supplied for laboratory and bioprocessing use; commercial buyers with food- or pharma-grade certification requirements should confirm current specifications independently before ordering. The commercial search landscape for dextrose is largely educational rather than transactional, with a thin field of B2B suppliers — a real opening for a Canadian supplier with straightforward pricing and fast delivery.
Dextrose monohydrate vs. sucrose vs. glucose
| Sugar | Structure | Typical use case |
|---|---|---|
| Dextrose monohydrate | Simple sugar (glucose) + water of crystallization | Direct yeast fermentation, culture media, brewing |
| Organic sucrose | Disaccharide (glucose + fructose) | Carbon source requiring enzymatic breakdown before use; also a cryoprotectant |
| Anhydrous glucose | Simple sugar, no bound water | Functionally similar to dextrose monohydrate at a higher relative concentration by weight |
The practical distinction for a fermentation or media-prep buyer: dextrose is metabolized immediately, while sucrose needs to be broken down first — a difference that matters for fermentation speed and consistency, and one of the most common "which sugar should I use" questions in the category.
Frequently asked questions
Primarily as a carbon and energy source in microbial and cell culture media, and as a fermentable sugar in brewing and food applications.
Yes — dextrose is the common name for D-glucose. The monohydrate form includes one water molecule per unit, which slightly changes its weight-for-weight concentration compared to anhydrous glucose.
Dextrose, since yeast can metabolize it directly, while sucrose must first be broken down into its component sugars.
Yes — dextrose monohydrate is available in 250 g, 500 g, and 1 kg packs, with Canada-wide calculated shipping. For larger recurring volume, reach out directly to discuss options.
See also: Reagents for Labs & Universities and Reagents for Craft & Hobbyist Fermentation Projects.
Browse pack sizes and order Dextrose Monohydrate directly — part of Third Space Bio's mission to make reliable reagents accessible, not a bottleneck, for Canadian research and innovation.
