Many people are confused about whether mannitol is a natural product or a chemical synthesis. And many publicity on the market describes mannitol as a natural sugar, but this statement is not accurate. In fact, mannitol can be considered both natural and man-made, depending primarily on how it is produced.”
- Natural mannitol
Essentially, mannitol is a natural sugar alcohol that is widely found in nature, especially in brown algae plants such as kelp and seaweed, which are the main natural sources of mannitol.
Brown algae is a type of large seaweed that mainly grows in coastal areas of cold and temperate oceans, especially in shallow waters and intertidal zones. Brown algae rely on photosynthesis to store substances and adjust osmotic pressure to adapt to the marine environment. Mannitol plays a key role in these physiological processes, so mannitol is widely present in brown algae.
In brown algae, the content of mannitol is usually 10% to 20%, but during the growth season of seaweed, especially in summer and autumn, the content of mannitol can increase to more than 20%. Therefore, many companies choose to extract mannitol from brown algae during production. The mannitol sweetener made from this is naturally classified as a natural substance because it is derived from brown algae.
- Artificial mannitol
In addition to being extracted from brown algae, mannitol can also be produced through chemical synthesis. Usually, monosaccharides such as glucose or fructose are used as raw materials, and the monosaccharide solution is hydrogenated under high temperature and high pressure conditions. After the hydrogenation reaction is completed, the product contains mannitol, other sugar alcohols, and unreacted sugars. Subsequently, mannitol needs to be purified through steps such as crystallization, centrifugation, and drying. Mannitol made in this way is an artificial sweetener.
- Natural Mannitol VS Artificial Mannitol
Will the company produce natural or artificial products?
If the company’s brand positioning is to provide natural or organic products or if the market demand for natural ingredients is high, the company may choose to extract mannitol from natural plant species.
If a company does not position natural or organic products, usually considering cost, the company may choose chemical synthesis methods, because this production process is simple, low-cost, and suitable for mass production.
- What is the difference in the quality of mannitol between the two methods?
Whether it is extracted naturally or chemically synthesized, the main components and structure of mannitol are the same, so the quality is generally not very different, but there are still some differences in some details:
1. Purity and Impurities: Naturally derived mannitol may contain traces of other botanical ingredients, while chemically synthesized mannitol may contain different impurities, depending on the chemicals and conditions used in the synthesis process.
2. Taste and solubility: Natural mannitol may differ in taste, for example, it may provide a more natural sweetness. Additionally, natural mannitol may absorb more heat as it dissolves, giving it a cooling taste
- Is artificial mannitol safe?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified mannitol as a generally recognized as safe (GRAS) substance and can be used as a direct food additive. This means that mannitol is considered safe for humans under current conditions of use. Their assessment is based on a comprehensive review of existing scientific data.
Therefore, you can choose with confidence, whether mannitol is made through natural extraction or chemical synthesis, modern technology ensures its safety, and chemical synthesis can also produce mannitol that meets health standards.
Of course, if you value organic or natural products, we still recommend that you choose products with the words natural or organic on them.
References
1. “Mannitol: physiological functionalities, determination methods, biotechnological production, and applications”https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00253-020-10757-y
2. [Algae: the world`s most important [plants”-an introduction” https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11027-010-9255-9
3. [Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) | FDA”
https://www.fda.gov/food/food-ingredients-packaging/generally-recognized-safe-gras