• CAS#: 149-32-6
• Manufacturers: Various
• Industries: Personal Care, Food & Beverage/Nutraceutical/Pharmaceutical, Clean Label

Erythritol, C4H10O4, is a novel bulk sweetener with a caloric value close to zero. Chemically, it is a four-carbon sugar alcohol (polyol). A white crystalline powder, erythritol is made through fermentation.

Since this ingredient belongs to a class of compounds called sugar alcohols, these molecules are like hybrids of carbohydrates and alcohol. There are many different sugar alcohols, they can be found in natural foods like fruits, but they are also added to “sugar-free” products. The structure of the molecules is what gives them the ability to stimulate the sweet taste receptors on our tongues.

Based on this production process and its raw materials (carbohydrate substrates), erythritol is the first and only polyol that can claim to be natural. It occurs naturally in various foods, including many fruits and mushrooms and fermented foods such as cheese, wine, beer and soy sauce.

Erythritol’s flavor profile is very similar to sugar, with approximately 70% of the sweetening power of sugar. It is non-cariogenic and has the highest digestive tolerance of polyols. Since it is natural, it doesn’t cause any side effects and tastes almost exactly like sugar without the calories.