WHAT IS MALTITOL?

2023-11-15

WHAT IS MALTITOL?

As all polyols, maltitol is sugar alcohols or hydrogenated carbohydrates. It is also known as sugar replacers, bulk sweeteners or sugar-free sweeteners. Maltitol is a bulk sweetener coming from wheat and maize. This is a white, crystalline powder very similar to sucrose. Its clean sweet taste and physico-chemical properties very closed to that of sucrose make it a high quality sugar alternative. With 75%-90% sweetness of sucrose, but it is not digested or metabolized by oral microorganisms, and will not cause dental caries. It is a low-calorie food sweetener, especially suitable for patients with diabetes and obesity. Maltitol is supplied both as white powder and syrup as product.

WHAT ARE THE MAIN APPLICATIONS OF MALTITOL?

FOOD APPLICATION

Thanks to a clean sweet taste and no cooling effect and behaviour very close to sucrose, maltitol can be used in a wide range of food industry:

Based on thorough testing on 38 diabetic patients, Maltitol proves to be a safe sugar substitute as there were no significant differences in the blood glucose levels between the test group and the control group. Furthermore, four diabetic patients consumed maltitol daily for 40 consecutive days, and no adverse effects were observed in their blood sugar, blood lipid, kidney function, and liver function. This evidence solidifies Maltitol as a suitable sweetener for diabetic patients.
Sugar alcohols are a game-changer when it comes to baking cakes and making creams. Maltitol boasts excellent emulsification stability, paired with its ability to provide food with an oily sensation and smooth texture, all while maintaining the original flavor and texture of fatty foods. As such, it's frequently used as a fat substitute for producing low-calorie foods, producing high-quality oil and water emulsified margarine that truly elevates the overall experience.
With its ability to serve as a sweetener in high-fat foods such as ice cream, butter cakes, and toffee, maltitol can effectively inhibit fat accumulation in the body and serve as a preventative measure against obesity.
Maltitol is an ideal sweetener for processing various food products such as chewing gum, candy, cakes, beverages, and food for children and the elderly. Not only can it provide a soft and pure sweetness to the food, but it also promotes the body's absorption of calcium and prevents dental caries and senile porosity. Its high-quality properties make it an excellent choice for health-conscious consumers who want to enjoy tasty treats without compromising their well-being.
Maltitol's sweet taste is gentle and pure, and it won't undergo the Maillard reaction when heated with amino acids. This makes it the perfect ingredient for crafting premium-quality hard candies, toffees, and crystal toffees. Additionally, maltitol has a remarkable ability to prevent color loss, making it an ideal choice for preserving fruits, jellies, pickles, and other food products while also extending their shelf life.
Maltitol boasts impressive moisture retention and non-fermentation properties, making it an ideal ingredient to enhance the shelf life of bread and cakes.

PHARMACEUTICAL APPLICATION

Maltitol is used as a pharmaceutical excipient in the pharmaceutical industry. Maltitol can also be used as a plasticizer in gelatin capsules
Maltitol is not absorbed well by the human body, which makes it a great choice for people with diabetes or other health conditions. When consumed, maltitol is slowly broken down into glucose and sorbitol, which are released into the body at a slow rate. This minimal impact on blood sugar and insulin levels makes it a great ingredient for medicinal drinks and other products. Additionally, maltitol promotes the absorption of calcium, providing even more health benefits for people with liver disease, cardiovascular disease, arteriosclerosis, hypertension, obesity, and osteoporosis.

COSMETICS APPLICATION

Maltitol is a great ingredient for cosmetics because it has excellent moisture retention and hydrating properties. It's perfect for use as a moisturizing regulator.

MALTITOL WITH OTHER INGREDIENTS. DOES MALTITOL WORK WELL WHEN MIXED WITH OTHER INGREDIENTS?

Yes, it is definitely a good ally with other substances and ingredients and can even be used in combination with other sweeteners if necessary.

MALTITOL SIDE EFFECTS

Although maltitol, an natural sweetener, does offer benefits over sucrose, such as a lower caloric value and glycemic index, it is important to note that consuming large quantities of maltitol is not completely safe. This sweetener has been linked to various digestive disturbances and should be consumed in moderation.

The above is a brief introduction about maltitol. If you want to know more, please contact sales@refineingredients.com