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Product Introduction
Xylitol is an organic compound with the chemical formula C5H12O5. Originally from Finland, it is a natural sweetener extracted from plant materials like birch, oak, corncobs, and sugarcane bagasse. Xylitol is widely distributed in nature, present in various fruits, vegetables, and grains, though in small amounts. Its main functions include providing energy, improving glucose metabolism, serving as a sugar substitute, and preventing cavities. It is widely used in the food, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries.
Production Process
(1) Typical Xylitol Production Process: Neutralization and Deacidification
Raw Material → Hydrolysis → Neutralization → Concentration → Decolorization → Ion Exchange → Concentration → Hydrogenation → Concentration → Crystallization → Separation → Packaging
(2) Ion Exchange
Raw Material → Hydrolysis → Decolorization → Ion Exchange → Concentration → Ion Exchange → Hydrogenation → Ion Exchange → Concentration → Crystallization → Separation → Packaging
Functions and Benefits
Xylitol has several key functions, including energy supplementation, improvement of glucose metabolism, use as a sugar substitute, and cavity prevention.
- Energy Supplementation: Xylitol provides some calories, but with lower calorie content and slower absorption by the body, meaning it has a relatively small impact on blood sugar levels.
- Improved Glucose Metabolism: Xylitol has a lower glycemic index compared to regular sugar and is metabolized differently, not causing a rapid spike in blood sugar, helping control blood sugar fluctuations.
- Sugar Substitute: Xylitol’s lower calorie content and glycemic index compared to regular sugar make it a good alternative, as it does not cause rapid increases in blood sugar levels, aiding in blood sugar control.
- Cavity Prevention: Unlike regular sugar, xylitol cannot be fully metabolized by bacteria, producing less acidic substances, which helps reduce acid erosion on teeth and lowers the risk of cavities.
Applications: Health Foods, Food, Pharmaceuticals, Beauty
Applications in the Food Industry
Due to its metabolism in the body not involving insulin, xylitol is used in the production of foods for diabetic patients. Xylitol provides a cooling sensation in the mouth and does not ferment into lactic acid by bacteria, making it a poor culture medium for microbes and non-cariogenic, suitable for making chewing gum. As a sugar substitute, xylitol offers unique advantages, as it does not undergo the Maillard reaction when heated during food processing, meaning it does not darken foods like regular sugar, which contains aldehydes that react with amino acids. Xylitol is resistant to yeast and bacterial activity, preventing mold growth and extending the shelf life of food products. Thus, it is widely used in chewing gum, chocolate, beverages, and confectionery.
- Application in Chewing Gum
Xylitol’s sweetness is similar to that of sucrose, and it prevents cavities, making it a popular choice for sugar-free gum, replacing sucrose in production.
- Application in Chocolate Products
Xylitol can replace sucrose in chocolate products. The raw xylitol must be finely milled into powder. This type of xylitol-sweetened chocolate is suitable for diabetics.
- Application in Beverage Products
Xylitol is used in combination with maltitol, sugar, and fructose as a sweetener in vitamin drinks, where it improves the sweetness and imparts a cooling sensation. Maltitol adds body to the beverage, controlling calorie content and stabilizing the effectiveness of vitamins.
- Application in Gummies
Dietary fiber gummies are made using sweeteners like saccharin and xylitol as sugar substitutes, with chitosan and konjac refined powder as dietary fiber raw materials. These gummies are produced through specific processes and have a good flavor, natural color, complete block shape, full texture, fine consistency, and a pleasant sweet and sour taste.
Applications in the Pharmaceutical Industry
Xylitol reduces transaminase levels, making it a good medication for treating diabetes and protecting the liver. It supplements energy, improves glucose metabolism, does not increase glucose load, and eliminates ketoacidosis. Xylitol’s metabolism in the body not only bypasses insulin but also promotes insulin secretion, making it a good nutrient and adjunctive treatment for diabetics. It increases the physical strength of diabetic patients, reduces hunger, and alleviates symptoms like excessive drinking, eating, and urination, lowering the need for insulin and other hypoglycemic drugs. Additionally, it inhibits oral bacteria and prevents dental acid erosion. In the pharmaceutical industry, xylitol is used to manufacture various medications.
It also increases liver glycogen, reduces transaminase levels, improves liver function, and protects the liver. Xylitol has a strong anti-ketone effect, and intravenous injection of xylitol is effective in treating ketoacidosis, also serving as an energy supplement for these patients. Xylitol inhibits human fat growth, so long-term use can aid in weight loss. Adding xylitol to surgical anesthesia can achieve effects that glucose cannot. Xylitol has many other potential applications in the pharmaceutical field that require further research.
- Applications in the Chemical Industry
Xylitol can be used to produce antibacterial surfactants; in the synthetic resin industry, it is used to produce various alkyd resins; in the leather tanning industry, xylitol reacts with phenol, formaldehyde, and phosphoric acid to produce colorless tanning agents with good water solubility and tanning properties, and stable storage without oxidation, used for tanning white leather.
Xylitol can replace glycerin, used in papermaking, daily chemical products, and the defense industry. When nitrated, it can produce explosive materials; reacting with synthetic fatty acids can produce non-volatile plasticizers; xylitol itself also has emulsifying, dispersing, and defoaming properties; it has better heat and corrosion resistance than hexitols, making it an important emulsifier with promising application prospects. As xylitol’s industrial applications expand and production increases, demand for xylitol is expected to grow significantly.
- Application in the Plastics Industry
Xylitol esterified with 5–9 carbon fatty acids produces heat-resistant plasticizers with high triester content and good compatibility, used in shoe soles, agricultural films, artificial leather, and cable materials. Polyether resin, a new type of high molecular polymer, is the main raw material for foam plastics, rubber, adhesives, etc. Xylitol can be used as an initiator to produce polyether, which is the basic raw material for synthesizing rigid foam plastics. Adding xylitol as an additive to PVC cables can improve insulation performance.
- Application in the Paint and Coating Industry
Alkyd resins are high-performance, versatile, and inexpensive raw materials for synthetic paints. However, producing this raw material requires a large amount of glycerin and edible oil. Xylitol, with its five hydroxyl groups, can be used as a substitute, saving significant amounts of glycerin and edible oil. Xylitol and tar oil can be used to produce high-quality dark paints.
- Application in Surfactants
Surfactants are a growing industry, used extensively in chemicals, petroleum, light industries, food, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and other sectors. They play a critical role in promoting reactions, improving performance, and enhancing quality. Sorbitol fatty acid esters, non-ionic surfactants in polyol categories, primarily use sorbitol as a raw material. Xylitol, being a polyol like sorbitol with very similar physical and chemical properties, can also produce these substances, acting as a non-ionic surfactant similar to sorbitol compounds.
- Application in Toothpaste
Xylitol is currently used mostly in chewing gum, where the technology is relatively mature. Chewing xylitol-containing gum can effectively prevent cavities.
Packaging and Storage
Storage Conditions: Store in a sealed, light-blocking, cool, dry, and well-ventilated place
Packaging: 25kg/fiber drum for bulk, 1kg/aluminum foil bag for samples; custom packaging available upon request
Shipping: Courier or logistics, domestic courier delivery within three days, logistics within five days. Prices generally include domestic shipping
Shelf Life: Two years
