Mannitol dosage

Mannitol is a polyol (sugar alcohol) naturally present in various plants, algae, fungi, and fruits. It is also produced industrially by hydrogenating fructose .
Valued for its mild flavor , low glycemic index , and moderate sweetening power (approximately 60% that of sucrose) , it is widely used as a sweetener, stabilizer, or bulking agent in the food, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical industries.

Its thermal stability , non-hygroscopicity and refreshing effect in the mouth make it a sought-after ingredient in technical formulations (tablets, chewing gums, diet products, foods for athletes or diabetics).

Objective of mannitol assay

Mannitol analysis allows us to quantify its concentration in a product in order to:

• Controlling the quality and composition of food, pharmaceutical, or nutraceutical formulations,
• Verify regulatory compliance regarding additives and nutritional claims,
• Differentiating between natural and synthetic sources,
• Evaluate the sugar and polyol profiles in plant matrices or botanical extracts.

This analysis is particularly important in products intended for people with diabetes , glucose intolerance or following low-sugar diets .

Analytical methods used

At YesWeLab , mannitol quantification is carried out according to ISO 10504 and AOAC 977.20 , using high-precision chromatographic and enzymatic techniques:

• HPLC-RI (high-performance liquid chromatography with refractive index detection) : reference method for the quantification of polyols in food or plant matrices.
• LC-MS (liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry) : used for the specific detection of mannitol in complex formulations, particularly in the presence of other sugars.
• Enzymatic method : a rapid and specific alternative for the determination of mannitol in natural extracts or aqueous solutions.

These approaches guarantee reliable, sensitive and reproducible quantification , regardless of the type of sample analyzed.

Industrial applications of mannitol assay

Mannitol assay has multiple applications in several fields:

• Agri-food : control of sweeteners in chewing gums, confectionery, low-fat products or diet foods.
• Nutraceuticals : standardization of food supplements, functional drinks and energy powders.
• Pharmaceutical : verification of the role of mannitol as an excipient, diluent or stabilizer in tablets and injectable solutions.
• Plant and agronomic analysis : measurement of natural mannitol in algae , mushrooms, olives or ash extracts , in order to evaluate their sweetening potential or their physiological properties.

Regulatory framework

In Europe, mannitol (E421) is authorized as a food additive and sweetener in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 .
Its acceptable daily intake (ADI) is not fixed, but excessive consumption can have a laxative effect , which requires mandatory labeling at concentrations of 10% or higher in the finished product.

In the pharmaceutical field, it is listed in the European Pharmacopoeia as a quality controlled excipient, subject to strict specifications of purity and residual moisture.

Affected matrices

• Food products (chewing gum, sweets, diet bars)
• Nutritional supplements and functional drinks
• Pharmaceutical products (tablets, injectable solutions)
• Plant extracts, algae, mushrooms
• Powders and dry formulations

Recommended Related Analyses

For a complete characterization of the sweetness or functional profile of products, YesWeLab recommends combining mannitol measurement with:

• Sorbitol dosage : another common polyol in dietary and cosmetic formulations,
• Xylitol dosage : analysis of a natural sweetener with a low glycemic index,
• Maltitol dosage : measurement of a sugar substitute widely used in low-fat products.
• Trigonelline assay : study of a complementary natural alkaloid for nutraceutical products with metabolic effect.

Why entrust your analysis to YesWeLab?

Since 2020, YesWeLab has been providing its analytical expertise to the food, pharmaceutical, and plant industries .
Through a network of accredited partner laboratories (ISO 17025, COFRAC) and its digital platform , YesWeLab offers a comprehensive solution for:

• Select the analytical method best suited to your matrix.
• To ensure regulatory compliance and reproducibility of results,
• Simplify the management and monitoring of your analyses.

Need to measure the mannitol content in your food, plant or nutraceutical products?
YesWeLab today for a personalized quote and analysis compliant with international standards .