2. Academic Validation
  3. Maltitol: Analytical Determination Methods, Applications in the Food Industry, Metabolism and Health Impacts

Maltitol: Analytical Determination Methods, Applications in the Food Industry, Metabolism and Health Impacts

  • Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020 Jul 20;17(14):5227. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17145227.
Ariana Saraiva 1,  Conrado Carrascosa 1,  Dele Raheem 2,  Fernando Ramos 3 4,  António Raposo 5 6
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Department of Animal Pathology and Production, Bromatology and Food Technology, Faculty of Veterinary, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Trasmontaña s/n, 35413 Arucas, Spain.
  • 2 Northern Institute for Environmental and Minority Law (NIEM), Arctic Centre, University of Lapland, 96101 Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland.
  • 3 Pharmacy Faculty, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal.
  • 4 REQUIMTE/LAQV, University of Oporto, 4051-401 Porto, Portugal.
  • 5 Department for Management of Science and Technology Development, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
  • 6 Faculty of Environment and Labour Safety, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
PMID: 32698373 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17145227
Abstract

Bulk sweetener maltitol belongs to the polyols family and there have been several dietary applications in the past few years, during which the food industry has used it in many food products: bakery and dairy products, chocolate, sweets. This review paper addresses and discusses in detail the most relevant aspects concerning the analytical methods employed to determine maltitol's food safety and industry applications, its metabolism and its impacts on human health. According to our main research outcome, we can assume that maltitol at lower doses poses little risk to humans and is a good alternative to using sucrose. However, it causes diarrhoea and foetus complications at high doses. Regarding its determination, high-performance liquid chromatography proved the primary method in various food matrices. The future role of maltitol in the food industry is likely to become more relevant as processors seek alternative Sweeteners in product formulation without compromising health.

Keywords

food additives; food industry; food safety; health impacts; maltitol; metabolism; sweeteners.

Figures
Products