Sorbitol

Sorbitol (CAS 50-70-4), also known by the E-number E420, is a polyol humectant and sweetener used across food, pharmaceutical, and personal care manufacturing.

It retains moisture in finished products and acts as a chelating agent to stabilize formulations against metal-ion degradation. In food production, it functions as a bulk sweetener and humectant.

It is used in sugar-free confectionery, baked goods, and chewing gum, where it controls water activity and extends shelf life. Pharmaceutical manufacturers use it as an excipient in tablet coatings.

It is also found in liquid oral preparations and sugar-free syrups, where its moisture-retention properties support product stability. Personal care formulators incorporate it into toothpastes.

It is used in skin creams and hair care products to prevent drying and maintain texture over the product's shelf life. Its chelating capacity makes it useful in formulations where trace metal ions must be sequestered.

This prevents oxidative degradation in sensitive chemical mixtures. Sorbitol is supplied as a 70% aqueous solution or as a crystalline powder, with the liquid form being the most common in industrial supply chains.

Recognized grades include USP, BP, Ph. Eur., and FCC, supporting use across pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic applications. Specialty grades are available for specific processing requirements.