Product Description
Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol used as sweetener, laxative, a component of cosmetics, a component of rocket fuel. Sorbitol occurs naturally in a variety of berries and fruits (e.g., apples and blackberries).
Sweetener
Sorbitol is a sugar substitute. It is often used in diet foods (including diet drinks and ice cream), mints, cough syrups, and sugar-free chewing gum.
Sorbitol is also used as a humectant in cookies and low-moisture foods like peanut butter and fruit preserves. In baking, it is also valuable because it acts as a plasticizer, and slows down the staling process. In confectionery industry sorbitol is used in hard boiled candies and chewing gum.
Medical Applications, Laxative
As is the case with other sugar alcohols, foods containing sorbitol can cause gastrointestinal distress. Sorbitol can be used as a laxative when taken orally or as an enema. Sorbitol works as a laxative by drawing water into the large intestine, stimulating bowel movements. Sorbitol has been determined safe for use by the elderly, although it is not recommended without the advice of a physician.
Sorbitol may cause allergic reactions in some people. Common side effects from use as a laxative are stomach cramps, vomiting, diarrhea or rectal bleeding.
Healthcare, food and cosmetics us
Sorbitol often is used in modern cosmetics as a humectant and thickener. It is also used in mouthwash and toothpaste. It is a conditioning agent for the skin, preventing moisture loss from both the skin and the hair. Some transparent gels can be made only with sorbitol, because of its high refractive index.
Rocket Fuel and Biomass
A mixture of sorbitol and potassium nitrate has found some success as an amateur solid rocket fuel.
Sorbitol is identified as a potential key chemical intermediate for production of fuels from biomass resources. Carbohydrate fractions in biomass such as cellulose undergo sequential hydrolysis and hydrogenation in the presence of metal catalysts to produce sorbitol. Complete reduction of sorbitol opens the way to alkanes, such as hexane, which can be used as a biofuel.
Specifications:
Appearance: White granular 20 - 60 mesh water soluble powder.
Assay: 96% - 100.5%
Heavy metals (Lead): 5 ppm Max
Nickel: 1 ppm Max
Lead: 0.5 ppm Max
View the Sorbitol Safety Data Sheet
View the Sorbitol Product Data Sheet
