Usage areas of Sorbitol

Sorbitol is natural carbohydrate alcohol found in many berry and berry fruits such as apples, prunes, cherries and grapes. It is produced commercially from glucose (dextrose). It is a polyol (sugar alcohol) obtained by catalytic hydrogenation of dextrose (glucose).

Production Methods

There are 3 categories: catalytic hydrogenation, electrocatalytic hydrogenation, and enzymatic. Catalytic hydrogenation is currently the most accepted when it comes to the economic situation. Sorbitol can be obtained by saturating dextrose with hydrogen at high pressure (40-100 bar) and high temperature (100-170 °C) in the presence of Raney nickel or ruthenium catalyst. It has 2.6 kcal/gr calories. High doses may have a laxative effect (depending on the user’s age, weight, and metabolism). It can be used as tooth-friendly as it does not cause plaque formation on the tooth. Since the dissolution enthalpy is endothermic, it gives a feeling of freshness in the mouth.

Function And Features

Stabilizer, low-calorie sweetener, and bulking agent. It is used in many baked goods and confectionery products.

Applications:

Used in flavoring agents, food additives, toothpaste, tobacco, toiletries, and cosmetics. It is also used for Vitamin C fermentation. It is very close to sugar. It has half the sweetness of sugar. Since bacteria in the mouth cannot metabolize sorbitol when used in chewing gums, it can prevent tooth decay. Some diabetics prefer to consume foods sweetened with sorbitol. This is because sorbitol is absorbed slowly into the body and prevents blood sugar from rising quickly. It is a natural sweetener and thickener used in products such as dietetic drinks and foods, bakery products, candies, grated coconut, and chewing gum. The ability to retain moisture in the products is also very important. It has various uses in the pharmaceutical industry as a diuretic.