Glycols et Polyols

Les glycols et les polyols sont des alcools polyhydroxylés qui fixent l'eau grâce à leurs multiples groupes hydroxyle. In food and beverage formulation they do two jobs: humectants such as glycerin and propylene glycol lower water activity to control texture and shelf stability, and bulk polyols such as mannitol and lactitol add sugar-free body and crystallization control. Glyceryl-ester emulsifiers sit in the same family and stabilize oil-and-water systems. Match the grade to the application; humectant and emulsifier roles are not interchangeable.

Glycerin (glycerol) is the workhorse humectant: it binds water strongly and is widely used in bars, fondants and baked goods. The trade-off is honest u2014 glycerin contributes sweetness and viscosity, so where a neutral carrier is wanted, propylene glycol is the alternative for dissolving and carrying flavors and colors. Specify glycerin where moisture retention is the priority and propylene glycol where flavor carriage and a low-sweetness profile matter. Confirm permitted use levels for your jurisdiction.

Bulk polyols give reduced-sugar texture. Mannitol has low hygroscopicity, which keeps coatings and dustings dry, while lactitol provides bulk and mouthfeel in reduced-sugar systems. The glyceryl esters u2014 monostearate, monooleate, monococoate u2014 function as emulsifiers and crumb softeners rather than humectants. For a sugar-reduced confection, pair a bulk polyol for body with a small humectant addition for moisture, and choose the emulsifier by its required HLB and melting behavior.

• Pouvoir humectant et maîtrise de l'activité de l'eau dans les barres, fondants, fourrages et produits de boulangerie moelleux
• Support d'arômes et de colorants dans les boissons et la confiserie (propylène glycol, glycérine)
• Apport de masse et maîtrise de la cristallisation en produits à teneur réduite en sucre avec mannitol et lactitol
• Assouplissement de la mie et émulsification avec des émulsionnants esters de glycéryle en boulangerie
• Stabilisation des émulsions huile-dans-eau dans les sauces, les fourrages et les systèmes de boulangerie

• Glycerol (vegetable glycerin) u2014 PubChem
• Propylene glycol u2014 PubChem
• D-Mannitol u2014 PubChem
• Lactitol u2014 PubChem
• Glyceryl monostearate — PubChem