What is Maltitol ?
Maltitol is produced by hydrogenation of the disaccharide maltose, which in turn is obtained by enzymatic hydrolysis of purified starch. Maltitol is available as a crystalline powder and as a maltitol syrup.
Dental
aspects...
Fermentable sugars are potentially cariogenic since they are fermented
by bacteria in the plaque to produce organic acids. Production of organic
acids leads to drop in pH at the tooth surface with subsequent decalcification
and potential damage of the tooth enamel. The decalcification will occur
once the plaque pH value falls below 5.7.
Polyols are not fermented by mouth bacteria and are therefore non-cariogenic
and safe for teeth.
Relative
sweetness of polyols:
Even sweetness depends much on individual perception as well
as on other parameters, like concentration, pH and presence of other food
ingredients. Numerous trials have resulted in guidelines for general accepted
sweetness values of various polyols. Usually expressed relative to sucrose.