Erythritol
Erythritol – Overview
A naturally occurring healthy sweetener in fruits (grapes, mushrooms, melons) and fermented foods (wine, beer, cheese and soy sauce), Erythritol was discovered in 1848 by British chemist John Stenhouse. At the industrial level, it is produced from glucose by fermentation with a yeast, Moniliella pollinis. It is 60–70% as sweet as table sugar yet it is almost non-caloric, does not affect blood sugar, does not cause tooth decay, and is absorbed by the body. Available in granulated and powdered forms, it is also known to cause least gastric side effects because Erythritol is a smaller molecule and 90 percent of it is absorbed in small intestine and excreted unchanged in the urine. Because of its zero glycemic index, it does not raise plasma glucose or insulin levels. Thus is suitable for diabetics.
Under U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) labeling requirements, it has a caloric value of 0.2 kilocalories per gram (95% less than sugar and other carbohydrates), though nutritional labeling varies from country to country. Some countries like Japan label it as zero-calorie, while European Union regulations currently label it and all other sugar alcohols at 2.4 kcal/g.
Erythritol got its first usage approval of zero calorie sweetener in Japan in 1990 in candies, chocolate, yogurt, fillings, jellies, jams, beverages, and as a sugar substitute. In the United States, it is classified as being Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) since 1997. It was approved in Australia and New Zealand in 1999. Thereafter many Asiatic/Pacific countries and the European Union gave its approval in 2006. Erythritol is also classified as sugar alcohol or polyols which are either extracted from plants or manufactured from starches. Sugar is mixed with water and then fermented with a natural culture into erythritol. It is then filtered, allowed to crystallize, and then dried. The finished product is white granules or powder that resembles sugar. It can also improve the sweetness, thickness, and smoothness of the drinks and also reduces the bitter taste of drinks.
Product Specifications
Erythritol is produced by the enzymatic hydrolysis of starch into glucose, which is on its turn fermented into erythritol. It is a non-caloric, non-hygroscopic excipient with excellent sweet taste and cooling effect. Thanks to its taste masking properties, it is the product of choice to formulate chewable tablets with poorly tasting actives.
Herboveda India deals in Erythritol that not only tastes well but is also manufactured in a GMP factory making sure that you get the best quality product. Please find herein the specification of our Product:
- Source: Corn
- Part Used: Corn Starch
- Mesh Size: 18-60
- Colour: White to off-white Crystals.
- Sweetness & Taste: 70 percent as sweet as table sugar. Erythritol also exhibits a strong cooling effect in dry form.
- Calories: Herboveda’Erythritol has almost no calories. In the United States, Erythritol is labeled as having 0.2 calories per gram, which is 95 percent fewer calories than sugar.
- Stability: Erythritol resists decomposition both in acidic or alkaline media and remains stable under prolonged exposure to pHs in the range of 2 to 10.
- The excellent heat stability of Erythritol ensures no product decomposition and/or discoloration at temperatures up to 160°C.
- Hygroscopicity: Erythritol crystals are non-hygroscopic. In the environment of 90% relative humidity, it doesn’t absorb moisture, and moisture absorption is more difficult than in sucrose.
- Water Activity: Erythritol’s water activity in solution is able to efficiently reduce and control the water activity of foodstuffs, thus extending their shelf life.
- Packing: The extract powder is packed and double sealed in heavy duty polyethylene bags for safety and authenticity. Bulk pack of 25kgs available.
Why Herboveda’s Erythritol?
- Pure white Crystals
- Passes all microbial tests
- Sophisticated QC Lab (sample COA available)
- Competitive Pricing
- Superior Food Grade Packaging
- Ready Availability, Stable quality
- NON GMO, KOSHER, HALAL Certified.
- Stable Quality
Applications & Usage
Because of its varied properties like small molecular weight, zero glycemic index, low-calorie and high stability, Erythritol is now widely used in below mentioned food applications and Pharmaceutical industry:
Food
- Beverages (not approved in the EC)
- Chocolates
- Ice cream
- Yoghurt and dairy products
- Bakery
- Confectionery
- Sugar substitutes and table-top sweeteners
- Chewing gum
Pharmaceuticals
- Nutritional supplements
- Lozenges
- Tablets
- Syrups
