Polyols

Erythritol

Erythritol is a natural sugar alcohol derived from fruits and plants. It is a polyol, but unlike many other sugar alcohols, its ability to provide sweetness without calories or adverse effects on blood sugar levels makes it a popular choice for reduction of sugar. Erythritol has a clean, sweet taste and is about 70% as sweet as sucrose (table sugar).

  • Food & Beverage: Erythritol can be used in baking and cooking as a substitute for sugar in recipes for cakes, cookies, muffins, and other baked goods. It is commonly used in sugar-free candies, chocolates, chewing gum, and mints.

    Erythritol is used in the production of sugar-free or reduced-sugar desserts such as ice cream, gelatin desserts, pudding, and sorbets. It is a common ingredient in sugar-free chewing gum. It adds sweetness and helps maintain the desired texture without the need for sugar.

    Erythritol can be found in products such as sauces, dressings, marinades, and snack foods.

    Erythritol is also used as a sweetener in various beverages, including soft drinks, flavored water, iced tea, and cocktails.

  • Nutraceutical: Erythritol is used as a sweetener in some dietary supplements, particularly those aimed at weight management, blood sugar control, or digestive health.

  • Personal Care: Erythritol is used in personal care products such as toothpaste, mouthwash, and lip balms as a sweetening agent or humectant.

Mannitol

Mannitol is a type of carbohydrate called a sugar alcohol, or polyol, which are water-soluble compounds that occur naturally in many fruits and vegetables.
Mannitol is also commercially produced for use in chocolate coatings, confections, chewing gums, powders, and tablets to provide body, sweetness, cooling taste and texture. It’s also useful as an anti-caking agent due to its minimal ability to absorb water.

  • Food & Beverage: Mannitol is used as a low-calorie sweetener in sugar-free candies, chewing gum, and other confectionery products. It is also utilized as a bulking agent and texture enhancer in baked goods, dairy products, and desserts to improve texture and mouthfeel. Mannitol is used as a coating agent for candies and chocolates to prevent sticking and improve appearance.
  • Nutraceutical: Mannitol is commonly used as an excipient in pharmaceutical formulations, particularly in tablet and capsule formulations, to improve tablet disintegration and drug release. It is used as an osmotic diuretic in intravenous solutions to reduce intracranial pressure and promote urine production. Mannitol inhalation is used as a bronchodilator in the treatment of respiratory conditions such as asthma.
  • Industrial: Mannitol is used in various industrial applications, including as a component in plastics, resins, and adhesives, as well as in the manufacturing of polystyrene foam.
  • Personal Care: Mannitol is added to toothpaste, mouthwash, and chewing gum as a sweetening agent and to provide a cooling sensation. It is used in skincare products like creams and lotions as a humectant and texture enhancer to help retain moisture and improve product stability.

Sorbitol

Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol that occurs naturally in fruits and vegetables but is often produced synthetically from glucose. It is widely used as a sweetening agent, humectant, and sugar substitute in various products due to its low-calorie content and ability to retain moisture.

  • Food & Beverage: Sorbitol is used as a sugar substitute and sweetening agent in a wide range of food and beverage products, including sugar-free candies, chewing gum, desserts, baked goods, and beverages. It also acts as a humectant, preventing moisture loss and maintaining freshness in products such as baked goods, confections, and dried fruits. Sorbitol contributes to the texture and mouthfeel of food products, providing a smooth and creamy consistency in items like ice cream, frozen desserts, and syrups.

  • Nutraceutical: Sorbitol is commonly used as an excipient in pharmaceutical formulations, particularly in chewable tablets, lozenges, and liquid medications, to improve taste, texture, and mouthfeel. It is also used in some over-the-counter laxative products.

    Sorbitol may be used as a bulking agent or sweetener in dietary supplements and nutraceutical products, particularly those aimed at managing blood sugar levels or supporting digestive health.

  • Industrial: Sorbitol is utilized in various industrial processes, including the production of resins, adhesives, plastics, and surfactants.
  • Personal Care: Sorbitol is added to toothpaste, mouthwash, and oral care products as a sweetening agent and humectant, helping to maintain moisture and improve product texture. It is also used in skincare products like creams, lotions, and moisturizers to provide hydration and improve skin feel.

Xylitol

Xylitol is a sugar alcohol derived from xylose, a natural sugar found in many fruits and vegetables. It is commonly used as a sugar substitute due to its sweetness and ability to provide a similar taste profile to sugar, but with fewer calories and a lower glycemic index.

  • Food & Beverage: Xylitol is used as a sugar substitute in various food and beverage products, including chewing gum, candies, mints, chocolates, baked goods, and beverages. It provides sweetness without the calories and can help reduce sugar intake.

    Xylitol can be used as a bulking agent in sugar-free and reduced-sugar products to maintain texture and volume, particularly in baking applications.

    Xylitol is a common ingredient in sugar-free chewing gum.

  • Nutraceutical: Xylitol may be used as an excipient in pharmaceutical formulations, particularly in chewable tablets and liquid medications, to improve taste and palatability.

    Xylitol may be used as a sweetening agent or bulking agent in dietary supplements and nutraceutical products, particularly those aimed at supporting oral health or managing blood sugar levels.

  • Personal Care: Xylitol is added to toothpaste, mouthwash, and oral care products for its ability to inhibit the growth of oral bacteria and prevent tooth decay.

    Xylitol is used in cosmetic formulations such as lotions, creams, and lip balms as a humectant and moisturizing agent to help retain moisture and improve skin hydration.

    Xylitol is often found in nasal sprays and sinus rinses for its moisturizing properties and potential benefits in relieving nasal congestion and discomfort.