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Sorbitol

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	Sorbitol
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	Topics Sorbitol Topic Home Sorbitol, also known as glucitol, is a sugar alcoholSugar alcohol A sugar alcohol is a hydrogenated form of carbohydrate, whose carbonyl group has been reduced to a primary or secondary hydr... that the body metabolises slowly. It is obtained by reductionRedox Redox reactions include all chemical processes in which atoms have their oxidation number changed.... of glucoseGlucose Glucose , a monosaccharide , is one of the most important carbohydrates in biology.... changing the aldehydeAldehyde An aldehyde is an organic compound containing... group to an additional hydroxylHydroxyl Hydroxyl groupThe term hydroxyl group is used to describe the functional group -OH when it is a substituent in an organic c... group hence the name sugar alcohol. Uses Sweetener Sorbitol is used in "sugar-free" mints and various cough syrups and is usually listed under the inactive ingredients. Sorbitol is a sugar substitute Sugar substitute A sugar substitute, or artificial sweetener, is a food additive which attempts to duplicate the effect of sugar or co... often used in diet foodFacts About Food Food is any substance, usually comprised primarily of carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, water and/or proteins, that can be eate... s (including diet drinks and ice cream) and sugar-free chewing gumChewing gum Chewing gum is a type of confectionery which is designed to be chewed instead of swallowed.... . It also occurs naturally in many stone fruits and berries from trees of the genus SorbusSorbus The genus *Sorbus* is a genus of about 100-200 species of trees and shrubs in the subfamily Maloideae of the Rose family R... . Sorbitol is also referred to as a nutritive sweetener because it provides dietary energy: 2.6 kilocalories (11 kilojoules) per gramGram The gram or gramme symbol g, is a unit of mass.... versus the average 4 kilocalories (17 kilojoules). Laxative Sorbitol can be used as a non-stimulant laxativeLaxative A laxative is a preparation used for encouraging defecation, or the expulsion of feces.... as either an oral suspension or suppositoryFacts About Suppository A suppository is a medicine that is inserted either into the rectum, vagina or urethra where it melts.... . The drug works by drawing water into the large intestineLarge intestine The large intestine extends from the end of the ileum to the anus.... , thereby stimulating bowel movements. Sorbitol has been determined safe to use in the elderly although it is by no means recommended. Miscellaneous Sorbitol is often used in modern cosmeticsCosmetics Permanent makeupTesting cosmetics on animals ... as a humectantHumectant A substance that promotes retention of moisture.... and thickener. Some transparent gelGel A gel is a colloidal system in which a porous network of interconnected nanoparticles spans the volume of a liquid medium.... s can only be made with sorbitol as it has a refractive indexRefractive index The refractive index of a material is the factor by which the phase velocity of electromagnetic radiation is slowed in that... sufficiently high for transparent formulations. It is also used as a humectantHumectant A substance that promotes retention of moisture.... in some cigaretteFacts About Cigarette A cigarette is a tobacco product manufactured out of cured and finely cut tobacco leaves, which are rolled or stuffed into a... s. Sorbitol is used as a cryoprotectantCryoprotectant A cryoprotectant is a substance that is used to protect biological tissue from freezing damage.... additive (mixed with sucroseSucrose Sucrose is a disaccharide with the molecular formula C12H22O11.... and sodium polyphosphatePhosphate In inorganic chemistry, a phosphate is a salt of phosphoric acid.... s) in the manufacture of surimiSurimi SwordfishTilapia***Big-head pennah croaker... , a highly refined, uncooked fishFish A fish is a water-dwelling vertebrate with gills, that remains so throughout its life.... paste most commonly produced from AlaskaAlaska Alaska is a U.S. state, located on the northwest tier of North America.... (or walleye) pollockPollock Pollock or pollack** is a marine fish.... (Theragra chalcogramma). Furthermore, Sorbitol, combined with Kayexalate, helps the body rid itself of excess potassiumPotassium Potassium is a chemical element. It has the symbol K and atomic number 19.... ions in a hyperkalaemic state. The Kayexalate exchanges sodium ions for potassium ions in the bowel, while sorbitol helps to eliminate it. Sorbitol when combined with potassium nitrate has found some success as an amateur solid rocket fuelRocket fuel Rocket fuel is a propellant that reacts with an oxidizing agent to produce thrust in a rocket. ... . Sorbitol is often used in MouthwashMouthwash Mouth rinse or mouthwash is a product used for oral hygiene.... , as it said that when mixed with other certain ingredients it can help fight plaque. Sorbitol is identified as a potential key chemical intermediate from biomassBiomass In energy production and industry, biomass refers to living and recently living biological material which can be used as fue... resources. Complete reduction of sorbitol opens the way to alkaneAlkane An alkane is an acyclic saturated hydrocarbon.... s such as hexaneHexane Hexane is an alkane hydrocarbon with the chemical formula CH34CH3.... which can be used as a biofuelBiofuel Summary Biofuel is any fuel that is derived from biomass recently living organisms or their metabolic byproducts, such as manure fr... . Sorbitol itself provides much of the hydrogen required for the transformation. 19 C₆O₆H₁₄ ? 13 C₆H₁₄ + 36 CO₂ + 42 H₂O The above chemical reactionChemical reaction A chemical reaction is a process that results in the interconversion of chemical substances .... is exothermicExothermic reaction In chemistry, an exothermic reaction is one that releases heat.... and 1.5 moleMole (unit) The mole is the SI base unit that measures amount of substance. ... of sorbitol generates 1 mole of hexaneHexane Hexane is an alkane hydrocarbon with the chemical formula CH34CH3.... . When hydrogen is co-fed, no carbon dioxideCarbon dioxide Carbon dioxide is a chemical compound composed of one carbon and two oxygen atoms.... production takes place. Overdose effects Ingesting large amounts of sorbitol can lead to some abdominal pain, gas, and mild to severe diarrheaDiarrhea Diarrhea or diarrhoea is a condition in which the sufferer has frequent watery, loose bowel movements .... . Sorbitol ingestion of 20 grams/day (g/d) as sugar-free gum has led to severe diarrhea leading to unintended weight loss of 24 lbs in a 114 lb woman; another patient required hospitalization after habitually consuming 30g/d. Sorbitol can also aggravate irritable bowel syndromeIrritable bowel syndrome In gastroenterology, irritable bowel syndrome or spastic colon is a functional bowel disorder characterized by abdomin... and fructose malabsorptionFructose malabsorption Fructose malabsorption is a dietary disability of the small intestine in which the fructose carrier in enterocytes is defici... . Even in the absence of dietary sorbitol, cells also produce sorbitol naturally. When too much sorbitol is produced inside cellCell (biology) The cell is the structural and functional unit of all living organisms, and is sometimes called the "building block of life.... s, it can cause damage. Diabetic retinopathyRetinopathy Retinopathy is a general term that refers to some form of non-inflammatory damage to the retina of the eye.... and neuropathyNeuropathy Neuropathy, strictly speaking, is any disease that affects the nervous system.... may be related to excess sorbitol in the cells of the eyeEye Overview An eye is an organ of vision that detects light.... s and nerveNerve A nerve is an enclosed, cable-like bundle of nerve fibers or axons, which includes the glia that ensheath the axons in... s. The source of this sorbitol in diabetics is excess glucoseGlucose Glucose , a monosaccharide , is one of the most important carbohydrates in biology.... , which goes through the polyol pathwayPolyol pathway Also called the sorbitol-aldose reductase pathway, the polyol pathway appears to be implicated in diabetic complications, es... . See also MannitolMannitol Mannitol or hexan-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexol6) is an osmotic diuretic agent and a weak renal vasodilator.... XylitolXylitol Overview Xylitol, also called wood sugar or birch sugar, is a five-carbon sugar alcohol that is used as a sugar substitut... External links — see entry on sorbitol