Chemistry:Lycasin

From HandWiki
Short description: Trade name for hydrogenated glucose syrup

Lycasin is a trade name given by Roquette for hydrogenated glucose syrup (hydrogenated starch hydrolysates).[1] One of the major components of Lycasin is maltitol, derived from the hydrogenation of maltose. Depending on the dextrose equivalent (DE) of the syrup used in the hydrolysis, a variety of products can be made, with the name "lycasin" normally being reserved for lycasin 80/55 (80 referring to the dry content and 55 to the dextrose equivalent). The other grades (e.g. 75/60 and 80/33) are referred to as Polysorb,[2] but should not be confused with the polyglycolic acid suture of the same name which is produced by a different company.[3]

Lycasin's known side effects in adults include bloating, intestinal gurgling or rumbling (borborygmi), and flatulence.[4] Some cases of extremely intense intestinal distress have been reported from consuming foods containing Lycasin, which led to many humorous reviews of German confectioner Haribo's Sugarless Gummy Bears.[5]

References

  1. Mitchell, Helen Buss (2006). Sweeteners and Sugar Alternatives in Food Technology. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-1-4051-3434-7. 
  2. Altschul, Aaron M. (1993). Low-calorie foods handbook. New York: M. Dekker. ISBN 978-0-8247-8812-4. 
  3. "Polysorb™ Braided Absorbable Sutures". http://products.covidien.com/pages.aspx?page=sutureProductClassDetail&id=285. 
  4. Lee, A.; Wils, D.; Zumbé, A.; Storey, DM (2002). "The comparative gastrointestinal responses of children and adults following consumption of sweets formulated with sucrose, isomalt and lycasin HBC". European Journal of Clinical Nutrition 56 (8): 755–764. doi:10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601389. PMID 12122552. 
  5. "What's in Those Haribo Gummy Bears?". 17 January 2014. https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/01/whats-in-those-haribo-gummy-bears/283162/.