Mannitol

What is Mannitol?

Molecular Formula (Mannitol): C₆H₁₄O₆

Molecular Weight: 182.17 g/mol

Chemical Name: D-Mannitol

CAS Number: 69-65-8

It has 50% more sweetness than sucrose. This chemical compound is a substance that occurs naturally in fruits and vegetables.

It does not have cariogenic properties. It is a hexahydric alcohol derivative. It is also found in mushrooms. Its role in these areas is to serve as a sugar and carbohydrate reserve.

It is a derivative of the sorbitol compound.

E Code: E 421.

Other Names Are As Follows;

• Osmitrol
• 87-78-5
• Manna Sugar
• Cordycepic Acid
• Sea Crystal
• Maniton-S
• Osmofundin

How is Mannitol Produced?

There are several methods for mannitol production. These include the reduction of glucose by the electrolytic method or by the hydrogenation of invert sugar, monosaccharides, or sucrose.

Commercial production is carried out by the reduction of monosaccharides such as glucose or mannose by catalytic or electrolytic methods.

What are the Physical and Chemical Properties?

Physically, it is in the form of a white crystalline powder. It can also be found in granular form.

It has a sweet taste. It has an odor.

The melting point is 168 °C.

The boiling point is in the range of 290 °C to 295 °C.

Mannitol solubility at 25 °C is 216 g/L. Its solubility increases as the temperature increases. Its solubility in Glycerin is 1 g/18 ml.

Its density at 20 °C is 1.52 g/cm³.

What are the Usage Areas of Mannitol?

• In the pharmaceutical industry, it is used as a basic component in the manufacture of chewable tablets thanks to its non-hygroscopic properties.
• Mannitol is used in the production of medicated chewing gums.
• It is utilized for its sweetening agent property.
• It is used in the manufacture of medicines produced for the treatment of swelling occurring around the brain and inside the eyes.
• Some people have difficulty producing urine in their bodies. It is used in the manufacture of drugs used to ensure the body produces urine.
• Medicines containing this chemical are given for the treatment of patients with kidney failure. These drugs ensure the removal of excess water and toxic substances from the body. Mannitol is used in the manufacture of these drugs.
• It is used as an anti-caking agent in the food industry.
• It is used as a flavoring agent in the production of nuts.
• Due to its neutral taste, it is used as a filler in chewable tablets, orally disintegrating tablets, and swallowing tablets.
• Sugar alcohols used in antifreeze production, namely alcohols such as Mannitol, dextrose, maltitol, sorbitol. As the Dextrose Equivalent increases, it will increase the water activity and the inhibition of water crystallization. This will lower the freezing point.
• It is used as a flavor-enhancing agent.
• It is used as a filler in tablets.
• It is used in very small amounts together with Mono Ethylene Glycol as an anti-wear chemical in vehicle engines.

What are the Factors Affecting Prices?

Mannitol price is directly dependent on the prices of the materials used in its production. As the prices of monosaccharides such as glucose and sucrose increase, this chemical compound will increase in price.

With the increase in mannitol usage areas and the expansion of its use in the medical field in recent years, it has exhibited an upward trend in prices.

Companies that sell this compound control the prices of this chemical compound depending on their stocks.