SORBITOL

Appearance White crystalline solid or

light viscous syrup

Molecular formula C6H14O6

Form Solution70%

Powder 99.5%.

CAS Number 50-7-4

Specification of Sorbitol 70%

Assay 68.0 to 72.0%

Sp. Gravity, 25 deg.C 1.285
Ref.Index @ 20 deg.C. 1.455
Water 29.0 to 31.0%
Chloride max. To pass the test
Sulphate max. To pass the test
Arsenic Max To pass the test
Heavy metals max To pass the test
Nickel max To pass the test
Reducing sugar To pass the test
Sulphated ash, max. 0.1%
 Product application
Sector of application Use

Raw material Vitamin C

Used as humectant in tooth paste, creams,

cosmetics and food products.

Sorbitol gives up water very slowly to dry

atmosphere

Additive/Humectant Sorbitol takes up water very slowly from a

humid atmosphere

This humectant (water stabilisation) property

of sorbitol helps to retain softness and
flexibility of the product such as toothpaste,
mouth wash solution and to resist the
formation of plaque.
Used as stabilizer and antioxidant in coating
Coatings sector, etc.
 Derivatives of Sorbitol

Derivatives of Sorbitol are used to prepare

stable emulsion and water-soluble
Vitamins.

Sorbitol derivatives are used in cosmetics

due to their dermatologically innocuous or
low skin-irritant property and in in
stabilisation of fragrance in colognes and
after-shave lotions.
 Derivatives of Sorbitol

• Isosorbide 5-mononitrate
• Isosorbide dinitrite
• Polysorbate fatty acid
• Sorbitan ester ethoxylates
• Sorbitan mono laurate
• Sorbitan mono Oleate
• Sorbitan mono palmitate
• Sorbitan monos tearate
• Sorbitan tri Oleate
 Thrust areas for demand
* Sugar substitute

Compared to sugar, sorbitol is slowly metabolized in human

body without dependence on insulin.

Therefore, it does not appreciably increase blood sugar

levels.

Increased use of sugar substitute due to growing concern

about obesity and diabetics.

* Sugarless confectionery
Used for non-carcinogenic candies and chewing gum due to
its tooth friendliness
 Thrust areas for demand
Tooth paste, dentrifice and mouth wash sector

• Incorporated in many tooth paste formulations, where

it also acts as a viscous vehicle, stable in alkaline
condition.
• Its humectant property has been utilised in dentrifices
preparations, available in the form of paste, gel and
powder

Vitamin C

• In India, Vitamin C is not produced from sorbitol but

from 2-Keto-L-gulonic acid, which is imported by the
producers and the same is converted to vitamin C.
 Process
• Sorbitol is commercially manufactured by high
pressure hydrogenation of 50% aqueous
dextrose solution at 140 to 165 Deg C in 3 to 4
hours with Raney nickel catalyst, using
promoters such as salts of magnesium, nickel,
molybdenum, iron etc.
H2/Raney nickel
catalyst/
Magnesium

Starch Dextrose
Monohydrate
Sorbitol