1,3-Dihydroxyacetone is a reducing sugar. All monosaccharides (as long as they have free aldehyde or ketone carbonyl groups) have reducing properties. 1,3-Dihydroxyacetone meets the above conditions and therefore belongs to reducing sugars. The main production methods are chemical synthesis and microbial fermentation. The chemical methods of 1,3-Dihydroxyacetone mainly include electrocatalytic method, metal catalytic oxidation method and formaldehyde condensation method. Chemical production of 1,3-Dihydroxyacetone is still in the laboratory research stage. The production of 1,3-Dihydroxyacetone by biological methods has significant advantages: high product concentration, high conversion rate of glycerol, low production cost, and the production of 1,3-Dihydroxyacetone at home and abroad mainly uses the microbial conversion of glycerol method.

1,3-Dihydroxyacetone is a naturally occurring ketose, biodegradable, edible and non-toxic to humans and the environment, and is a multifunctional additive used in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical and food industries. 1,3-Dihydroxyacetone is mainly used as a raw material for cosmetic formulations, especially as a sunscreen with special effects, preventing excessive evaporation of water from the skin, acting as a moisturizer, sunscreen and UV radiation protection. 1,3-Dihydroxyacetone supplementation (especially in combination with pyruvate) can increase the body's metabolic rate and fatty acid oxidation, which can potentially burn fat effectively to reduce body fat and delay weight gain (weight loss effect), and reduce the incidence of related diseases, also can improve insulin sensitivity and reduce plasma cholesterol levels due to high cholesterol diet, long-term supplementation can increase blood glucose utilization and save muscle glycogen. For athletes , it can improve aerobic endurance performance.