A method to manufacture calcium gluconolactate as a single molecule, compositions formed thereby, and uses therefor are disclosed and described. In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing calcium gluconolactate by reacting a gluconic acid reaction or an equivalent thereof, such as glucono delta lactone with lactic acid in the presence of calcium hydroxide and water to obtain a calcium gluconolactate molecule having the formula CH.sub.2OH--(CHOH).sub.4--COOCaCOO--CH(OH)--CH.sub.3 with molecular weight of 324.2994 is presented.