Xylitol

Synonyms: E967; Klinit; meso-xylitol; xilitol; Xylifin; Xylisorb; xylit; Xylitab; xylite; Xylitolo; xylitolum.

Description: Xylitol occurs as a white, granular solid comprising crystalline, equidimensional particles having a mean diameter of about 0.4–0.6 mm. It is odorless, with a sweet taste that imparts a cooling sensation. Xylitol is also commercially available in powdered form, and several granular, directly compressible forms.

Chemical Name: xylo-Pentane-1,2,3,4,5-pentol

Coating agent; diluent; emollient; humectant; sweetening agent; tablet and capsule diluent; tablet filler.

• Xylitol is used as a noncariogenic sweetening agent in a variety of pharmaceutical dosage forms, including tablets, syrups, and coatings.

• It is also widely used as an alternative to sucrose in foods and as a base for medicated confectionery.

• Xylitol is finding increasing application in chewing gum, mouthrinses, and toothpastes as an agent that decreases dental plaque and tooth decay (dental caries).

• Unlike sucrose, xylitol is not fermented into cariogenic acid end products and it has been shown to reduce dental caries by inhibiting the growth of cariogenic Streptococcus mutans bacteria.

• As xylitol has an equal sweetness intensity to sucrose, combined with a distinct cooling effect upon dissolution of the crystal, it is highly effective in enhancing the flavor of tablets and syrups and masking the unpleasant or bitter flavors associated with some pharmaceutical actives and excipients.

• In topical cosmetic and toiletry applications, xylitol is used primarily for its humectant and emollient properties, although it has also been reported to enhance product stability through a combination of potentiation of preservatives and its own bacteriostatic and bactericidal properties.

Xylitol is incompatible with oxidizing agents.

Xylitol is used in oral pharmaceutical formulations, confectionery, and food products, and is generally regarded as an essentially nontoxic, nonallergenic, and nonirritant material. Xylitol has an extremely low relative glycemic response and is metabolized independently of insulin. Following ingestion of xylitol, the blood glucose and serum insulin responses are significantly lower than following ingestion of glucose or sucrose. These factors make xylitol a suitable sweetener for use in diabetic or carbohydrate-controlled diets.

Observe normal precautions appropriate to the circumstances and quantity of material handled. Xylitol may cause transient gastrointestinal discomfort if ingested in large quantities; and may also be irritant to the eyes. Eye protection and gloves are recommended. Conventional dust-control practices should be employed. Xylitol is flammable, but does not ignite readily

Various directly compressible forms of xylitol that contain other excipients are commercially available, e.g. Xylitab 100, which contains 3.5% polydextrose, and Xylitab 200, which contains 2.0% carboxymethylcellulose (both Danisco Sweeteners Ltd). A directly compressible form of pure xylitol is also available, Xylitab 300 (Danisco Sweeteners Ltd), which is produced via wet granulation. Pyrogen-free grades of xylitol suitable for parenteral use are also commercially available.