Isomalt is a sugar substitute, a type of sugar alcohol, which is primarily used for its sugar-like physical properties. It has only a small impact on blood sugar levels and does not promote tooth decay. It has 2 kcal/g, half the calories of sugars.[1] However, like most sugar alcohols, it carries a very real risk of gastric distress, including flatulence and diarrhea, when consumed in large quantities. And due to its laxative properties Isomalt is advised to not be consumed in quantities larger than about 50g per day for adults and 25g for children. The reason that isomalt may prove upsetting to the stomach is because the body recognizes it as a dietary fiber instead of as a simple carbohydrate. Therefore, like most fibers, it can increase bowel movements and it passes through the bowel in virtually undigested form. Like other dietary fibers, regular consumption of isomalt might eventually lead one to become desensitized to it, decreasing the risk of stomach upset. Isomalt is typically blended with a high intensity sweetener such as sucralose, so that the mixture has approximately the sweetness of sugar.
Isomalt is a disaccharide composed of the two sugars glucose and mannitol. It is an odourless, white, crystalline substance containing about 5% water of crystallisation. Isomalt has a minimal cooling effect (positive heat of solution[2]), lower than many other sugar alcohols, particularly xylitol and erythritol. Isomalt is unusual as it is a natural sugar alcohol that is produced from beets. An interesting use of isomalt is found in the product DiabetiSweet, a sugar substitute sold for baking use and composed of a blend of isomalt and acesulfame potassium, but it has a bitter taste (due to the acesulfame potassium) and lacks the caramelizing properties of sugar.
Isomalt is manufactured in a two-stage process in which sugar is first transformed into isomaltulose, a reducing disaccharide (6-O-α-D-glucopyranosido-D-fructose). The isomaltulose is then hydrogenated, using a Raney metal catalytic converter. The final product—isomalt—is an equimolar composition of 6-O-α-D-glucopyranosido-D-sorbitol (1,6-GPS) and 1-O-α-D-glucopyranosido-D-mannitol-dihydrate (1,1-GPM-dihydrate).
Isomalt has been approved for use in the United States since 1990. It is also permitted for use in Australia and New Zealand and Holland. (note: List of countries is not exhaustive).
Isomalt can be used in sugar sculpture and is preferred by some because it will not crystalize as quickly as sugar.
Source:
wikipedia
