Mannitol

Mannitol is basically a form/type of sugar alcohol which is used as sweetening agent and as a medicine. It is used as a sweetener in the food for diabetic patients because it is poorly absorbed by intestines. Moreover it is used in medical application to reduce the pressure in eyes, like in glaucoma, and to reduce the increased intracranial pressure, it is diuretically used to force urine production in people with acute kidney failure. In pharmacological application it is given as an injection.

TECHNICAL DATA
Chemical Structural Formula of Mannitol

CAS No. 87-78-5

• Molecular formula: C6H14O6
• Molar mass: 182.172 g/mol
• Melting point: 165°C
• Boiling point: 295°C
• Synonyms:
  D-mannitol
  mannitol
  Mannite
  Osmitrol

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Manittol is an osmotic diluretic that is metabolically immobile in human and living organisms occurs naturally, it is found as a sugar alcohol in fruits and vegetables. It is used to elevate blood plasma osmolality, which results the improved flow of water from tissues, plus the brain cerebrospinal fluid, into interstitial fluid and plasma. Moreover mannitol has ability to lose a hydrogen ion in aqueous solutions, and then solution becomes acidic. That is why some sort of substance is added to adjust the pH, such as sodium bicarbonate. Mannitol can improve/increase the ability of urine production “Diuretic”. It also controls the body worse conditions which are produced by an increase in body fluids e.g. glaucoma, kidney failure, cerebral edema. It can also be given with different diuretics e.g. chlorothiazide, furosemide and IV fluid replacement.

BENEFITS

Mannitol is sugar alcohol and it has many benefits. Mannitol have quality to not absorbing moisture into many products due to its non-hygroscopic behavior. That’s the reason mannitol is often used in chewing gum as a dusting powder to prevent the gum from sticking to manufacturing equipments and gum wrappers.
When it comes to chocolates mannitol is used as a coating agent to chocolate flavors, it is also used for coating purpose in ice creams, sweets and cadies due to its high melting point and does not faint color in high temperatures. It is ideal to use in pharmaceutical and nutritional tablets due to its high melting point to protect the products. Mannitol also helps to prevent the growth of tooth decay. It has high resistance to metabolism by oral bacteria which break down sugars and starches to release acids which are cause of cavities or the erosion of tooth enamel. It is very advantageous for diabetic patients due to its partial absorption in the body, mannitol reduce the increase in blood glucose and insulin level. It is very beneficial for weight control due to its low caloric value, (1.6 kcal/g), which makes it useful alternative sweetener for diabetic patients. These oral health benefits of mannitol are clinically proved and recognized by many health associations around the globe.

USES
· Mannitol is a diuretic which is used to overcome puffiness and stress around the brain or inside the eye.
· It is also used to help improve the production of urine by the body.
· It is also used in the patients having kidney failure, to take away excessive water and toxin fluids from the body.
· When a person’s urine needs to be tested, mannitol is given to increase/produce the enough urine so that it can be tested by helping your Doctor to determine whether your kidneys are working properly.
· When a person’s urine needs to be tested, mannitol is given to increase/produce the enough urine so that it can be tested by helping your Doctor to determine whether your kidneys are working properly.

SIDE EFFECTS
· Pain while urinating sometimes
· Headache.
· Fast heartbeat/Chest pain.
· Irritation.
· Bruising.
· Sometimes shortness of breath.
· Swelling in body.
· Wheezing.
· Cough with thick mucus.
· Dehydration, thirst, dry mouth.
· Sweating, confusion, constipation, weakness
· Tingly sensation, muscle pain, legs and arms pain etc.

SOURCES

Mannitol naturally occurs in many fruits and vegetables like watermelon, snow peas, peach, button mushrooms, cauliflower, celery, butternut squash and sweet potato. When it comes to plants it is naturally produced by a plethora of organisms, including bacteria, yeasts, fungi, algae, lichens, and many plants. Mannitol can also be manufactured by from fructose sourced from cornstarch which is further used as a sweetener in wide range of products.

PRECAUTIONS

mannitol could not be used with the conditions of having kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, severe dehydration issues, or lungs problem.