Sorbitol Liquid - China

Brief Overview

Sorbitol liquid, also known as glucitol, is a sugar alcohol with a sweet taste and a clear, colorless, viscous liquid form. It is derived from glucose and is metabolized slowly by the body, making it a low-glycemic index sweetener that is often used as a sugar substitute in various food and beverage products, including sugar-free gum, candy, and baked goods. Sorbitol liquid is also a humectant, which means it attracts and retains moisture, making it useful in cosmetics and personal care products. Additionally, it has a laxative effect, making it beneficial in the pharmaceutical industry for relieving constipation. 

Manufacturing Process

Sorbitol liquid is typically produced by the catalytic hydrogenation of glucose, which involves mixing corn syrup with water to form a solution. 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 concentrated by evaporation to achieve the desired concentration of sorbitol liquid. 

Food Industry

Sorbitol liquid is widely used in the food industry as a sugar substitute due to its low glycemic index, sweet taste, and unique properties. It is commonly used in sugar-free candies, chewing gum, and diet drinks, as it provides the sweetness of sugar without the added calories.

Pharmaceutical Industry 

Sorbitol liquid is commonly used as an excipient or an inactive ingredient in various medicines. Its sweet taste and humectant properties make it useful in improving the taste and texture of oral medications such as syrups and suspensions. It is also used as a diluent or a filler in tablets and capsules to improve their flowability and compressibility.