Maltitol

Production and uses

Maltitol is a disaccharide produced by hydrogenation of maltose obtained from starch. Maltitol syrup, a hydrogenated starch hydrolysate, is produced by hydrogenating corn syrup, a mixture of carbohydrates produced from the hydrolysis of starch. This product contains between 50% and 80% maltitol by weight. The remainder is mostly sorbitol, with a small quantity of other sugar-related substances.{{Citation | access-date = 27 January 2014 | archive-date = 4 March 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304035434/http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/code/applications/documents/FAR_A537%20Maltitol.pdf | url-status = live

Maltitol's high sweetness allows it to be used without being mixed with other sweeteners. It exhibits a negligible cooling effect (positive heat of solution) in comparison with other sugar alcohols, similar to the subtle cooling effect of sucrose. It is used in candy manufacture, particularly sugar-free hard candy, chewing gum, chocolates, baked goods, and ice cream. The pharmaceutical industry uses maltitol as an excipient, where it is used as a low-calorie sweetening agent. Its similarity to sucrose allows it to be used in syrups with the advantage that crystallization (which may cause bottle caps to stick) is less likely. Maltitol may also be used as a plasticizer in gelatin capsules, as an emollient, and as a humectant.

Nutritional information

Maltitol provides between 2 and(-). Maltitol is largely unaffected by human digestive enzymes and is fermented by gut flora, with about 15% of the ingested maltitol excreted unchanged in the feces.

Chemical properties

Maltitol in its crystallized form measures the same (bulk) as table sugar, but does not caramelize nor participate in Maillard reactions upon heating due to its relative chemical inertness. The crystallized form is readily dissolved in warm liquids (≈ 120 F and above); the powdered form is preferred if room-temperature or cold liquids are used. Due to its sucrose-like structure, maltitol is easy to produce and made commercially available in crystallized, powdered, and syrup forms.

It is not metabolized by oral bacteria, so it does not promote tooth decay. It is more slowly absorbed than sucrose, a desirable property for diet in diabetes.

Effects on digestion

Like other sugar alcohols (with the possible exception of erythritol), maltitol has a laxative effect, typically causing diarrhea at a daily consumption above about 90 g. Doses of about 40 g may cause mild borborygmus (stomach and bowel sounds) and flatulence.

References

References

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