Erythritol

About This Product

Erythritol is a four-carbon sugar alcohol, formula C4H10O4, with CAS number 149-32-6 and the European additive number E968. It occurs naturally in fruit and fermented foods and is produced commercially by fermenting glucose with osmophilic yeasts. It is supplied as white crystals or powder.

Its advantage over other polyols is a matter of physiology. Sorbitol, maltitol and their relatives pass largely undigested into the large intestine, where gut bacteria ferment them, producing the gas and laxative effect that limits how much can be used. Erythritol is a smaller molecule and is absorbed in the small intestine, then excreted essentially unchanged in urine, so most of it never reaches the colon to be fermented. That is why it is tolerated at far higher intake than any other polyol and why it contributes almost no calories. It also has no effect on blood glucose or insulin and is not metabolised by oral bacteria, so it does not cause dental caries. One property must be designed around: erythritol has a strongly negative heat of solution, so it produces a pronounced cooling sensation in the mouth, welcome in mint products and conspicuous in others.

It is used in reduced-sugar confectionery, chocolate, chewing gum, baked goods, beverages, tabletop sweeteners and as a bulking agent with high-intensity sweeteners.

Bio Green Foods supplies erythritol to specification on assay, particle size, loss on drying, reducing sugars, ribitol and heavy metals.