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Sorbitol ester is a polyol, specifically 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexahydroxyhexane, also known as hexahydric alcohol or sorbitol. It is a white powder or crystalline powder, combustible, odorless, with a slightly cool sweet taste (approximately 60% of the sweetness of sucrose), highly soluble in water (1g/0.45 ml), and has hygroscopic properties (its moisture absorption capacity is slightly lower than that of glycerol). Most commercial cosmetic raw materials are solutions with a 70% mass fraction (solutions with a mass fraction lower than 50% are prone to mold growth). Sorbitol has certain hygroscopic properties and is used as a moisturizer in cosmetics. Sorbitol’s sweetness is about 60% of sucrose and can be used as a sweetener or a sugar substitute. Sorbitol also has anti-cavity properties and can be used in toothpaste products.
Sorbitol ester is absorbed much more slowly in the body compared to glucose and fructose, and the energy value produced during metabolism is comparable to that of glucose. In the human body, sorbitol is oxidized to fructose by sorbitol dehydrogenase, which then enters the fructose-1-phosphate pathway for metabolism. This pathway is not regulated by insulin and does not cause blood sugar to rise. By replacing sucrose and glucose with sorbitol, which are sweeteners that require insulin, diabetic patients can improve their tolerance to carbohydrates and better control their blood sugar levels.
Sugar is the primary cause of tooth decay. Certain microorganisms in the mouth ferment sugar to produce acids, which can damage the enamel on the surface of teeth, leading to cavities. Sorbitol ester has far better anti-cavity properties than sucrose. After sucrose intake, acids quickly form on the tooth surface, lowering the pH, whereas sorbitol ester leads to a much smaller pH drop, keeping the pH above the critical value of 5.7, which greatly reduces the likelihood of cavities. Studies have shown that chewing sorbitol-containing gum for 20 minutes after meals significantly reduces plaque on the tooth surface after 30 days and promotes remineralization of early cavities on the chewing and buccal surfaces.
Sorbitol ester has diuretic and dehydrating properties, and it can be directly used as a drug to treat conditions like brain edema, glaucoma, and edema with oliguria in patients with normal heart and kidney function, helping reduce intracranial pressure and prevent edema. Oral sorbitol promotes gallbladder contraction, stimulates the pancreas to secrete pancreatic lipase, and increases bile secretion from the liver. Since sorbitol is not broken down by gastric enzymes, it accelerates the peristalsis of the small intestine and can be used to improve symptoms in patients with chronic liver, gallbladder, and gastrointestinal diseases.
