Polyols are alcohols with multiple hydroxyl groups, used in food science and chemistry. Natural oil polyols (NOPs) are derived from vegetable oil and are classified as biobased products. Sugar alcohols are commonly used as sugar replacements in food and beverages, with lower calorie counts and less sweetness than natural sugar. They are also used in polymer chemistry to create polymers for various products.
Polyols are compounds with multiple functional hydroxyl groups attached to a carbon atom. They are alcohols, and are mainly used by two industries, food science and chemistry, depending on their composition. These compounds can occur naturally or artificially, and one source of natural polyols is vegetable oil. Polyols derived in this manner are known as natural oil polyols (NOPs) and are classified as biobased products in the United States. This means that a large part of its structure is made up of natural and renewable parts.
In the food science industry, the most common use for polyols is as sugar replacements. They are known as sugar alcohols, and although they have the structure of alcohol, they mimic the sweetness of sugar when added to food. Sugar alcohols have a lower calorie count than true sugar, and are often used in sugar-free or diet foods and beverages. These polyols are also less sweet than natural sugar, and a potent artificial sweetener is usually added to compounds containing sugar alcohols.
One product that almost invariably contains sugar alcohols is chewing gum. They add to the gums because they are not broken down by saliva or chewing, and therefore do not cause cavities. Some of the more common sugar alcohols are maltitol, sorbitol, and xylitol. These all have different degrees of sweetness. Sorbital is 60% as sweet as true glucose, while maltitol is rated at 75%, and xylitol matches the sweetness level of natural sugar. In the United States and Canada, products labeled sugar-free must list the amounts of sugar alcohol they contain.
Sugar alcohols are not fully absorbed by the body, which is part of the reason they have a lower caloric impact. They are eventually excreted, but it is possible to have a buildup of these polyols in the intestines, causing them to ferment. This, in turn, can cause pain and swelling. The term sugar alcohol can also be misleading, as although these compounds have an alcohol structure, they cannot produce an intoxicated state.
Polymer chemistry is the other area where polyols are often used. The multiple hydroxyl groups contained in the compound are used for organic reactions, most often as reagents to create polymers. These polymers are used to create items such as shoe soles, Spandex fabrics, mattresses, and foam insulation for refrigerators and freezers. NOPs are also being used to create commercial substances, especially polyurethane products such as car seats and headrests.
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