Sorbitol relative sweetness

Lactitol. Lactitol (4-0-/ -D-galactopyranosyl-D-sorbitol), is a synthetic sugar alcohol produced on reduction of lactose, usually using Raney nickel. It can be crystallized as a mono- or di-hydrate. Lactitol is not metabolized by higher animals it is relatively sweet and hence has potential as a non-nutritive sweetener. It is claimed that lactitol reduces the absorption of sucrose, blood and liver cholesterol levels and to be anticariogenic. It has applications in low-calorie foods (jams, marmalade, chocolate, baked goods) it is non-hygroscopic and can be used to coat moisture-sensitive foods, e.g. sweets. 

Sweet Taste. The mechanism of sweetness perception has been extensively studied because of its commercial importance. Many substances that vary in chemical structure have been discovered which are similar to the taste of sucrose. Commercial sweeteners include sucralose, acesulfame-K, saccharin, aspartame, cyclamate (Canada) and the protein thaumatin 4), Each sweetener is unique in its perceived sensation because of the time to the onset of sweetness and to maximum sweetness, ability to mask other sensations, persistence, aftertaste and intensity relative to sucrose [TABLE IT. For example, the saccharides, sorbitol and... 

The most commonly used sweeteners are sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, and glycerin. Using sucrose (sugar) as a standard, with 100 units of sweetness. Table 6 lists the relative intensities of other sweeteners. Sweetness intensity changes with concentration. It has been estimated that the sweetness of glucose relative to cane sugar is 53 at a concentration of 8% but... 

This and other nonabsorbable sugars such as sorbitol and mannitol are hydrolyzed in the colon to short-chain fatty acids, which stimulate colonic propulsive motility by osmotically drawing water into the lumen. Sorbitol and lactulose are equally efficacious in the treatment of constipation caused by opioids and vincristine, of constipation in the elderly, and of idiopathic chronic constipation. They are available as 70% solutions, which are given in doses of 15 to 30 mL at night, with increases as needed up to 60 mL per day in divided doses. Effects may not be seen for 24 to 48 hours rafter dosing is begun. Abdominal discomfort or distention and flatulence are relatively common in the first few days of treatment but usually subside with continued administration. A few patients dislike the sweet taste of the preparations dilution with water or administering the preparation with fruit juice can mask the taste. 

Treatment simply involves avoiding dietary sources of fructose and compounds that are metabolised to fructose such as sucrose and sorbitol. Children develop a natural aversion to sweet foods and learn to avoid fructose. A positive outcome is that they are relatively free from dental caries. 

Because mannitol and sorbitol are both moderately sweet and relatively inexpensive, they have been considered as special dietary constituents 63). The content of sorbitol in diabetic foods should be counted as available carbohydrate, and the label of foods containing sorbitol should indicate the amount present. Probably owing to the slow intestinal absorption of sorbitol, doses greater than 50 g. are laxative in humans, but smaller doses are well tolerated. Care needs to be exercised in determining more fully the possible harmful effect of ingesting considerable amounts of sugar alcohols, before their general use as food additives is accepted. 

Some nutrients, such as proteins, peptides and amino acids, Hpids, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, are also sensoriaUy active substances (e.g., sweet or bitter). The main nutrients along with other substances (certain organic acids, such as acetic and citric acids, and sugar alcohols, such as glucitol, known as sorbitol) can simultaneously also be a source of energy, for example, ethanol has a relatively high energy value. 

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