Sorbitol Powder

Brief Overview

Sorbitol powder is a sugar alcohol that is derived from glucose and has several unique properties. It is a white, crystalline powder with a sweet taste and a melting point of 94-96°C. It has a low glycemic index and reduced calorie content, making it a popular sugar substitute in food products. Sorbitol powder is soluble in water, alcohol, and methanol but insoluble in ether and chloroform. It is stable under normal conditions but can be decomposed by strong acids and bases. 

Manufacturing Process

A catalyst, usually a nickel catalyst, is added, and the mixture is heated under pressure to initiate the hydrogenation reaction. Hydrogen gas is then added to the reaction vessel, and the glucose molecules are converted into sorbitol molecules by the addition of hydrogen atoms. The resulting mixture is cooled, filtered to remove any catalyst residue, and evaporated to remove the water content. The remaining mixture is then crystallized and dried to obtain the final product of sorbitol powder.

Food Industry

Sorbitol powder is widely used in the food industry as a sugar substitute and a humectant. Its sweet taste and unique properties make it a popular ingredient in sugar-free candies, chewing gum, and diet drinks. It is also used as a bulking agent in certain foods, such as diet desserts and ice cream, to provide a similar texture to sugar while reducing the calorie content. Sorbitol powder's humectant properties make it useful in preventing the crystallization of sugar and the drying out of baked goods. It is also used as a preservative in some foods, as it inhibits the growth of certain microorganisms. 

Pharmaceutical Industry 

Sorbitol powder is mainly used as an excipient in various medicines. Its laxative effect makes it beneficial in relieving constipation and improving bowel movements. Sorbitol powder is also used as a diluent in tablets, capsules, and suspensions to provide bulk and improve the flowability of the active ingredients. Additionally, it is used as a stabilizer and cryoprotectant in vaccines and as a carrier for drug delivery systems. Sorbitol powder's sweet taste and low-calorie content also make it useful in masking the bitter taste of certain medicines. 

Other Applications
Sorbitol powder is also used in the paper industry as a wet-strength resin and in the textile industry as a softener for fabrics.