Sorbitol

A sugar alcohol used as a sweetener and laxative

Sorbitol

Chemical structure of D-sorbitol

Sorbitol, also known as glucitol, is a sugar alcohol with a sweet taste which the human body metabolizes slowly. It can be obtained by the reduction of glucose, changing the aldehyde group to a hydroxyl group, thus converting it into a sugar alcohol.

Chemical properties

3D ball model of sorbitol

Sorbitol is a polyol (sugar alcohol) with the chemical formula C₆H₁₄O₆. It is a white, water-soluble solid that is slowly metabolized by the human body. Sorbitol is an isomer of mannitol, another sugar alcohol, and is often used in combination with other sugar alcohols in food products.

Production

Sorbitol is produced by the reduction of glucose, a process that involves the conversion of the aldehyde group of glucose to a hydroxyl group, resulting in the formation of a sugar alcohol. This reaction is typically catalyzed by the enzyme aldose reductase.

Reduction of glucose to sorbitol

Uses

Sorbitol is widely used as a sweetener in "sugar-free" products, including chewing gum, candy, and dietary foods. It is also used as a humectant in cosmetics and as a laxative in medical applications. In the pharmaceutical industry, sorbitol is used as an excipient in the production of tablets and syrups.

Health effects

Sorbitol is generally recognized as safe for consumption, but excessive intake can lead to gastrointestinal discomfort, including bloating, diarrhea, and flatulence. This is due to its slow absorption in the small intestine and subsequent fermentation in the large intestine.

Related pages

• Sugar alcohol
• Glucose
• Mannitol
• Aldose reductase