Processed

Sorbitol

Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol obtained by hydrogenating glucose, sold as a clear syrup or white crystalline powder. As a humectant it keeps sugar-free gums, fondants, and soft cakes moist; as a bulk sweetener it provides about half the sweetness of sucrose with a cool finish. It is slower to crystallise than table sugar, so syrups stay glossy and chewy sweets stay flexible. Excess can cause gastrointestinal discomfort—labels often carry a laxative warning at high intakes. Heat-stable for many cook processes but browns poorly compared with sugar. Store crystals dry; syrup grades are already high in water and should stay sealed against fermentation contaminants.

Also known as: E420, Sorbitol (E420), Sorbitol, Sorubitoru, Glucitol

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Quantity

Unit

Kg Liters Whole

Note

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Form

Use

Characteristics

Preparations

Chewing Gum BaseCrystalline PowderFondant SoftenerSugar-Free BlendSyrup

Traits

Bulk SweetenerClean PolyolCooling FinishFunctional Group: HumectantGlossy In SyrupHygroscopicLaxative At High DoseLow BrowningMildly SweetSoft ChewSugar Alcohol

Nutrition

Typical values per 100 g edible portion. Nutrient names open the reference page.

Nutrition Facts

Per 100 g edible portion

Calories 381

Amount per 100 g

Total Fat 1.03 g
Saturated Fat 0.47 g
Trans Fat 0 g
Monounsaturated Fat 0.22 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.21 g
Cholesterol 0 mg
Sodium 19.7 mg
Salt 0.05 g
Total Carbohydrate 86.2 g
Dietary Fibre 0 g
Total Sugars 89.4 g
Complex / starch 2.03 g
Protein 1.88 g
Water 5.35 g

Detailed nutrients

Energy 381 kcal
Water 5.35 g
Carbohydrates 86.2 g
- Sugars 89.4 g
  - Monosaccharides 62.6 g
  - Disaccharides 26.8 g
- Starch 2.03 g
  - Amylose 0.51 g
  - Amylopectin 1.52 g
  - Digestible Starch 1.73 g
  - Resistant Starch 0.2 g
Protein 1.88 g
Fat 1.03 g
- Saturated Fat 0.47 g
- Monounsaturated Fat 0.22 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat 0.21 g
  - Omega-3 0.02 g
  - Omega-6 0.11 g
Vitamins 25.1 mg
- Vitamin A 20 µg
- Vitamin B1 — Thiamine 0.01 mg
- Vitamin B2 — Riboflavin 0.02 mg
- Vitamin B3 — Niacin 0.11 mg
- Vitamin B5 — Pantothenic Acid 0.05 mg
- Vitamin B6 0.02 mg
- Vitamin B7 — Biotin 0.2 µg
- Vitamin B9 — Folate 2.1 µg
- Vitamin C 2 mg
- Vitamin E 0.1 mg
- Vitamin K 0.5 µg
Minerals 282 mg
- Major Minerals 276 mg
  - Calcium 58 mg
  - Sodium 19.7 mg
  - Potassium 198 mg
- Trace Minerals 6.7 mg
  - Iron 1.3 mg
  - Zinc 0.4 mg
  - Iodine 5 µg
Salt 0.05 g
- Sodium Chloride 0.05 g

Vitamins

vitamin-c: 2 · vitamin-a: 20 · vitamin-b1-thiamine: 0.01 · vitamin-b2-riboflavin: 0.02 · vitamin-b3-niacin: 0.11 · vitamin-b5-pantothenic-acid: 0.05 · vitamin-b6: 0.02 · vitamin-b7-biotin: 0.2 · vitamin-b9-folate: 2.1 · vitamin-e: 0.1 · vitamin-k: 0.5 ·

Minerals

Sodium: 19.7 · Potassium: 198 · Calcium: 58 · Iron: 1.3 · Zinc: 0.4 · Iodine: 5 ·

Refined processed sweeteners and additives are energy-dense carbohydrate with little else.

In the kitchen

Culinary partners and combinations that usually underperform with Sorbitol.

Pairs well with

Classic and complementary matches

AppleSugar-free confections
Butter
CocoaDiabetic chocolate lineage
Cream
Egg
Sugar

Usually avoid with

Often clash in flavour or tradition

History

1872FR

French chemists identified sorbitol in mountain-ash berries (Sorbus).

1930

Industrial hydrogenation of glucose scaled food-grade sorbitol production.

1960

Sugar-free chewing gum and diabetic confectionery adopted sorbitol as bulk sweetener and humectant.

1990

Polyol labelling and laxative advisories became common on high-sorbitol packs.