100% natural Mannitol

Mannitol

Introduction

Mannitol is a sugar alcohol; that is, it is derived from a sugar by reduction, with a molecular weight of 182.17 g/mol, and a density of 1.52 g/mL.Other sugar alcohols include xylitol and sorbitol. Mannitol and sorbitol are isomers, the only difference being the orientation of the hydroxyl group on carbon 2.Aqueous solutions of mannitol are mildly acidic and sometimes such solutions are treated to lower the pH. Chemical Abstracts Registry Numbers for mannitol are 123897-58-5, 69-65-8 (D-Mannitol), 75398-80-0, 85085-15-0, and 87-78-5 (mannitol with unspecified stereochemistry). D-Mannitol (CAS# 69-65-8) has a solubility of 22g mannitol/ 100mL water (25 °C), and a relative sweetness of 50 (sucrose=100).It melts between 165 and 169 °C (7.6 torr), and boils at 295 °C at 3.5 torr, indicating a greater boiling point at STP conditions.

Functional Advantage

Unlike sorbitol, a polyol often used for its humectant properties, mannitol is nonhygroscopic (does not pick up moisture). For this reason, it is often used as a dusting powder for chewing gum to prevent the gum from sticking to manufacturing equipment and wrappers. Due to its high melting point (165-169o C), mannitol is also used in chocolate-flavored coating agents for ice cream and confections. It has a pleasant taste, is very stable to moisture pickup and does not discolor at high temperatures, which makes mannitol ideal for use in pharmaceuticals and nutritional tablets.