Sorbitol, also known as sorbitol. It is white hygroscopic powder or crystalline powder, flakes or granules, odorless. Depending on the crystallization conditions, the melting point changes in the range of 88~102℃, and the relative density is about 1.49. Easily soluble in water (1g dissolves in about 0.45mL water), slightly soluble in ethanol and acetic acid. It has a refreshing sweetness, the sweetness is about half that of sucrose, and its caloric value is similar to that of sucrose. According to the understanding of sorbitol supply: in the food industry, sorbitol liquid with a content of 69~71% is mostly used. Sorbitol liquid is a clear, colorless, syrupy liquid with a sweet taste, neutral to litmus, and miscible with water, glycerin and propylene glycol. Can be used as nutritive sweetener, humectant, chelating agent and stabilizer.
Sorbitol has the following physiological effects:
1. An edible sweetener for diabetics
The absorption rate of sorbitol in the body is much lower than that of glucose and fructose, and the energy value produced by metabolism is equivalent to that of glucose. In the human body, sorbitol is oxidized to fructose by sorbitol dehydrogenase, and then enters the fructose-1-phosphate pathway for metabolism. This metabolism is not regulated by insulin and does not cause an increase in blood sugar. Using sorbitol instead of sucrose, glucose and other insulin-requiring sweeteners can improve the tolerance of carbohydrates in diabetics and help them control blood sugar levels.
2. Anti-caries properties
Sugar is the main cause of dental caries. Certain microorganisms in the mouth can ferment sugar to produce acids, which can destroy Enamel on the tooth surface, causing cavities. Compared to sucrose, sorbitol is much more anti-caries. After ingesting sucrose, acid will be rapidly produced on the tooth surface, causing a decrease in pH. However, the acid generated after ingestion of sorbitol causes a smaller decrease in pH on the tooth surface, and the pH is still greater than the critical value of 5.7, thus greatly reducing the possibility of dental caries. Studies have found that chewing sorbitol-containing gum for 20 minutes each time after a meal can significantly reduce the plaque on the tooth surface 30 days later. It can also promote the remineralization of early caries on the occlusal and buccal surfaces of molars.
3. Other physiological effects
Sorbitol has diuretic and dehydrating properties and can be directly used as a drug to treat cerebral edema, glaucoma, and heart and kidney function. Normal diseases such as edema and oliguria can reduce intracranial pressure and prevent edema. Taking sorbitol orally can promote the contraction of the gallbladder, stimulate the pancreas to secrete pancreatic lipase, and increase the secretion of liver bile. At the same time, sorbitol is not decomposed by gastric enzymes and can accelerate the peristalsis of the small intestine, so it can be used to improve the symptoms of patients with chronic hepatobiliary and gastrointestinal diseases. �