(2).
Sorbitol is obtained by hydrogenation
of D-glucose and it is mainly composed of D-sorbitol. The part that is not
D-sorbitol is composed of substances relates to it such as mannitol, iditol,
and maltitol (1).
Sorbitol is a type of carbohydrate
that is called sugar alcohol or polyol. It has half the sweetness of sucrose (1).
It occurs naturally and it is able to produced synthetically from glucose (1).
Since sorbitol is found in fruits and berries (4). It is commonly used as a food additive or
sweeteners in foods and drinks (4). The
safety of sorbitol has been reviewed and confirmed by many health authorities
around the world. For example, the World Health Organization, the European
Union, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and other countries in the
world like Australia, Canada, and Japan (3).
Just like any substance moderation is
important. Even though it has been shown to be safe since it has been well
documented it should still not be had in excessive amounts since it could have
potential laxative effects (FOOD). Because when in high quantities the amount
of sorbitol that is not absorbed will retain water in the large intestine
through osmotic pressure which stimulate peristalsis of the intestine causing
it to be a diuretic (1).
In vaccines sorbitol is used in small
quantities as a stabilizer. In a vaccine there could be up to 15 milligrams of
sorbitol in the MMR vaccines (VaxPro and Priorix) (4). Sorbitol is overall
harmless and has been approved by the FDA to use. However, if someone is
allergic to sorbitol or has an intolerance to fructose then they should not
receive vaccines that contain sorbitol or be monitored after receiving the
injection (4).
Resources:
- National Library of Medicine, & PubChem. (n.d.). D-Sorbitol. Retrieved May 4, 2020, from https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/D-Sorbitol
- PT Sorini Towa Berlian Corporindo. (n.d.). Retrieved May 07, 2020, from http://www.stbc.co.id/product.php
- Sollid, K. (2019, April 18). What is Sorbitol? Retrieved May 4, 2020, from https://foodinsight.org/what-is-sorbitol/
- University of Oxford. (2019, August 30). Vaccine ingredients. Retrieved May 4, 2020, from https://vk.ovg.ox.ac.uk/vk/vaccine-ingredients
