Isomalt

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Isomalt
Identifiers
CAS number 64519-82-0 YesY
PubChem 88735
ChemSpider 80068 YesY
UNII S870P55O2W YesY
Jmol-3D images {{#if:O(C[C@@H](O)[C@@H](O)[C@H](O)[C@H](O)CO)[C@H]1O[C@@H]([C@@H](O)[C@H](O)[C@H]1O)CO|Image 1
Properties
Molecular formula C12H24O11
Molar mass 344.31236
 YesY (verify) (what is: YesY/N?)
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C (77 °F), 100 kPa)
Infobox references

Isomalt is a sugar substitute, a type of sugar alcohol, used primarily for its sugar-like physical properties. It has only a small impact on blood sugar levels and does not promote tooth decay. Its energy value is 2 kcal/g, half that of sugars.[1] However, like most sugar alcohols (with the exception of erythritol), it carries a risk of gastric distress, including flatulence and diarrhea, when consumed in large quantities. Therefore, isomalt is advised to not be consumed in quantities larger than about 50 g per day for adults and 25 g for children. Isomalt may prove upsetting to the intestinal tract because the body treats it as a dietary fiber instead of as a simple carbohydrate.[citation needed] Therefore, like most fibers, it can increase bowel movements, passing through the bowel in virtually undigested form. As with other dietary fibers, regular consumption of isomalt might eventually lead one to become desensitized to it, decreasing the risk of intestinal upset.[citation needed] Isomalt is typically blended with a high-intensity sweetener such as sucralose, so that the mixture has about the sweetness of sugar.

Isomalt is an equimolar mixture of two disaccharides, each composed of two sugars: glucose and mannitol (alpha-D-glucopyranosido-1,6-mannitol) and also glucose and sorbitol (alpha-D-glucopyranosido-1,6-sorbitol). Complete hydrolysis of isomalt yields glucose (50%), sorbitol (25%), and mannitol (25%) .[2] It is an odorless, white, crystalline substance containing about 5% water of crystallisation. Isomalt has a minimal cooling effect (positive heat of solution[3]), lower than many other sugar alcohols, in particular, xylitol and erythritol.

Isomalt is manufactured in a two-stage process in which sucrose is first transformed into isomaltulose, a reducing disaccharide (6-O-α-D-glucopyranosido-D-fructose). The isomaltulose is then hydrogenated, using a Raney nickel catalyst. The final product — isomalt — is an equimolar composition of 6-O-α-D-glucopyranosido-D-sorbitol (1,6-GPS) and 1-O-α-D-glucopyranosido-D-mannitol-dihydrate (1,1-GPM-dihydrate).

Isomalt has been approved for use in the United States since 1990. It is also permitted for use in Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Canada, Norway, Mexico, Iran, and the Netherlands. (note: List of countries is not exhaustive).

Isomalt can be used in sugar sculpture and is preferred by some because it will not crystallise as quickly as sucrose.

References

  1. Position of The American Dietetic Association (use of nutritive and nonnutritive sweeteners). J Am Diet Assoc. 1998;98:580–587.
  2. Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA). "Isomalt". International Programme on Chemical Safety (IPCS). Retrieved 15 December 2012. 
  3. Wohlfarth, Christian. CRC Handbook of Enthalpy Data of Polymer-Solvent Systems. CRC Press, 2006. Google Books result: ISBN 0-8493-9361-2

External links

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