SORBITOL Meaning and
Definition
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Sorbitol is a chemical compound that belongs to the family of sugar alcohols. It is a white, odorless, crystalline powder with a sweet taste, usually derived from corn syrup or glucose. Sorbitol occurs naturally in various fruits and plants, such as apples, pears, and cherries.
As a non-nutritive sweetener, sorbitol is often used as a sugar substitute in food products, particularly in low-calorie and sugar-free items. It provides a similar level of sweetness as sugar but without adding as many calories. Due to its sweet taste and ability to retain moisture, sorbitol is also used as a humectant, an ingredient that helps maintain moisture and prevent food products from drying out.
Additionally, sorbitol has several properties that make it useful in the pharmaceutical industry. It acts as a lubricant and a binding agent, allowing tablets and pills to be formed easily. Sorbitol is also utilized as an excipient in liquid medications, serving as a solvent or additive to enhance stability and improve taste.
While sorbitol is generally considered safe for consumption, excessive intake may cause gastrointestinal issues, such as diarrhea and abdominal discomfort, due to its laxative effect. Therefore, it is important to moderate consumption and adhere to recommended daily limits established by regulatory bodies.
In summary, sorbitol is a sugar alcohol commonly used as a sugar substitute and humectant in food products. It is also employed in the pharmaceutical industry for its lubricating and binding properties.
Common Misspellings for SORBITOL
Etymology of SORBITOL
The word sorbitol has a relatively straightforward etymology. It is derived from sorbose, which is a sugar alcohol that occurs naturally in some fruits. Sorbose itself is derived from sorbic acid, which was first isolated from the berries of the mountain ash tree known as Sorbus aucuparia. Hence, sorbic acid gives rise to sorbose, which in turn leads to sorbitol.
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