Xylitol is a sugar alcohol used as a sweetener. The name derives from Greek: ξύλον, xyl[on], “wood” + suffix -itol, used to denote sugar alcohols. It is categorized as a polyalcohol or sugar alcohol (alditol). It has the formula CH2OH(CHOH)3CH2OH and is an achiral isomer of pentane-1,2,3,4,5-pentol. It is roughly as sweet as sucrose (table sugar), with 33% fewer calories. Unlike other natural or synthetic sweeteners, this sugar is actively beneficial for dental health by reducing caries (cavities) to a third in regular use and helpful to remineralization. Multiple studies utilizing electron microscopy have indicated that xylitol is effective in inducing remineralization of deeper layers of demineralized enamel. Fair evidence was found that it (as chewing gum, lozenges, nasal spray, etc.) reduced the incidence of acute middle ear infection in healthy children.
Xylitol is naturally found in low concentrations in the fibers of many fruits and vegetables, and can be extracted from various berries, oats, and mushrooms, as well as fibrous material such as corn husks and sugar cane bagasse, and birch. However, industrial production starts from xylan (a hemicellulose) extracted from hardwoods or corncobs, which is hydrolyzed into xylose and catalytically hydrogenated into xylitol.
In some individuals, xylitol consumption is limited by gastrointestinal issues, including flatulence, osmotic diarrhea, and irritable bowel syndrome. However, for many, the side effects are negligible. In one study, subjects consumed an average of 3.3 lbs (1.5 kg) of it per month, with a maximum daily intake of over 400 grams without any negative effects.
Xylitol is produced by hydrogenation of xylose, which converts the sugar (an aldehyde) into a primary alcohol. Another method of producing it is through microbial processes, including fermentative and biocatalytic processes in bacteria, fungi, and yeast cells, that take advantage of the xylose-intermediate fermentations to produce high yields.
Source: Wikipedia
Xylitol
Chromatogram(s) using Benson Polymeric Columns
Part No.:
Eluent:
Flow Rate:
Detection:
Temperature:
Sample Size:
Column Size:
Resin Type:
DI H2O
0.8 ml/min
RI
80 C
20 ul, 30 mg/ml
300 x 7.8 mm
8% Pb
2 – Glucose
3 – Xylose
4 – Galactose
5 – Arabinose
6 – Xylitol
7 – Sorbitol
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