US 5,672,589 A · Crystalline lactitol monohydrate and a process for the preparation thereof, use thereof, and sweetening agent

Abstract

A crystalline lactitol monohydrate having lattice cell constants a=7.815.+-.0.008 .ANG., b=12.682.+-.0.008 .ANG., and c=15.927.+-.0.008 .ANG., and a melting range between 90 and 105.degree. C., and a water content between 4.85 and 5.15% as well as a process of preparing said crystalline lactitol monohydrate by evaporating the aqueous solution of lactitol to a concentration between 75 and 88% by weight, cooling the resultant mixture at a temperature ranging between 30.degree. and 75.degree. C., subsequently separating the lactitol monohydrate crystals from the mother liquor, and subsequently drying with air having a temperature between 120.degree. C., and a relative humidity between 0 and 40%, for a time period less than 24 hours. The invention also relates to the use of said crystalline lactitol monohydrate as a bulk sweetener for the total or partial replacement of sucrose, in dietetic products, confectionery, bakery products, cereals, desserts, jams, beverages, chocolate, chewing gum and ice-cream, and in pharmaceuticals and cosmetic products, such as tooth paste, as well as a special sweetening agent resembling sucrose, mainly composed of said crystalline lactitol monohydrate.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A process of preparing a substantially pure crystalline lactitol monohydrate comprising:

A) obtaining an aqueous lactitol solution, at least about 70% by weight of the solids in said solution consisting of lactitol;
B) crystallizing said lactitol from said solution in a manner effective to produce a crystalline material, which, when dry, has:
(i) lattice cell constants of a=7.815.+-.0.008 .ANG., b=12.682.+-.0.008 .ANG., and c=15.927.+-.0.008 .ANG.;
(ii) a melting point in the range of about 90.degree. to about 105.degree. C.;
and
(iii) a water content of between about 4.85 and about 5.15 percent;
said crystallizing step comprising maintaining the
(i) supersaturation of said lactitol in said lactitol solution greater than about 1;
and
(ii) the temperature of said solution greater than about 50.degree. C.;
and
C) separating said lactitol monohydrate crystals from the mother liquor.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Crystalline lactitol monohydrate and a process for the preparation thereof, use thereof, and sweetening agent

Life of this patent

Crystalline lactitol monohydrate and a process for the preparation thereof, use thereof, and sweetening agent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15