E967 - Xylitol
Author: Joe Fowler
Time for reading: ~1
minutes
Last Updated:
August 08, 2022
CHAPTERS (Table Of Contents)
Xylitol is a crystalline white powder with a virtually imperceptible odor and a pronounced sweet taste, which is almost equal in intensity to that of sugar. Leaves a characteristic coolness on the hedgehogs
Characteristic
Xylitol is a crystalline white powder with a virtually imperceptible odor and a pronounced sweet taste, which is almost equal in intensity to that of sugar. Leaves a characteristic coolness on the tongue. The additive is sufficiently resistant to heat and acids, dissolves well in water, has a medium degree of solubility in ethylene, acetic acid, glycols, pyridine, and does not dissolve in fatty solvents. In nature it is found in fruits, vegetables, birch wood, corn cobs, sunflower husks, cotton shell. It is obtained industrially from agricultural waste by reducing xylose under pressure.
Although the caloric content of xylitol is similar to that of sugar and the sweetness is comparable to that of sucrose, the biological value of the substance is very low. Therefore, E 967 is a widespread sugar substitute for diabetics and obese people, as it does not affect blood glucose levels.
Use
In the food industry, the additive E 967 is used in the production of low-calorie and sugar-free products. With the help of the substance is added sweetness to desserts based on dairy products, fruits and vegetables, eggs, cereals. Xylitol is added to dry appetizers, ice creams, marmalades, jellies, glazed fruits, candies, caramel, chocolate. It is also used in the production of dried fruit products, based on starch, pasta and confectionery. The substance is also used in chewing gum, mustard, sauces, meat products and sausages, mayonnaise.
The additive can act as a sweetener, moisturizer, stabilizer and emulsifier.
In medicine it is part of solutions for injection. In pharmacy it is used in the manufacture of sweet chewable tablets, vitamin complexes, syrups suitable for diabetics and obese people.
Impact on humans
There is no mention of a maximum permissible harmless dose for humans. It is assumed that the food supplement does not pose a danger to the body. In addition, it prevents the formation of caries. It is known that excessive use of the substance (over 20 g per dose or over 50 g per day) leads to bloating, flatulence, diarrhea.