what is sorbitol
Sorbitol, also known as glucitol, is a sugar alcohol with a sweet taste which the human body metabolizes slowly.It can be obtained by reduction of glucose, changing the aldehyde group to a hydroxyl group. Most sorbitol is made from corn syrup, but it is also found in apples, pears, peaches, and prunes.It is converted to fructose by sorbitol-6-phosphate 2-dehydrogenase.Sorbitol is an isomer of mannitol, another sugar alcohol; the two differ only in the orientation of the hydroxyl group on carbon 2. While similar, the two sugar alcohols have very different sources in nature, melting points, and uses.orbitol often is used in mouthwash and toothpaste. Some transparent gels can be made only with sorbitol, as it has a refractive index sufficiently high for transparent formulations. It is also used frequently in sugar free chewing gum.