Mannitol
The sugar alcohol supplied by Chelora Chemicals — the lactose-free tablet diluent and sweetener of choice for chewable, orally disintegrating and diabetic-friendly formulations — exported from Indonesia in bags with full batch documentation on every shipment.
What Mannitol is, and why buyers source it
A working overview of the compound's chemistry, its role as a lactose-free diluent and sweetener, and the grades Chelora Chemicals keeps in regular supply.
Mannitol is a six-carbon sugar alcohol (a polyol), the reduced form of mannose or fructose, carrying a hydroxyl group on every carbon of its chain. Unlike lactose, it is not a reducing sugar, so it does not undergo the Maillard browning reaction with amine-containing drugs, which makes it a dependable alternative diluent whenever that incompatibility rules lactose out. Its dissolution in water is also notably endothermic, giving tablets made with it a distinctive cooling sensation in the mouth.
It is a white, crystalline, free-flowing powder or granulated material with a pleasant sweet taste, about half to three-fifths as sweet as sucrose, freely soluble in water. It is chemically and physically stable under normal pharmaceutical storage conditions, non-hygroscopic, and metabolised independently of insulin, making it suitable for diabetic-friendly formulations.
Where it fits in the formulation chain
Mannitol's largest use is as a diluent and sweetener in chewable tablets, orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs) and sugar-free formulations, valued for its pleasant taste, cooling mouthfeel and lactose-free, non-reducing chemistry. Specially granulated, directly compressible grades are widely used in ODT formulations for their excellent compressibility and fast-dissolving mouthfeel, while powder grades suit wet-granulation and parenteral (injectable) use.
Grades we supply
Chelora Chemicals offers Mannitol in powder and directly compressible (granulated) grades compliant with USP/EP/JP monographs, suitable for chewable tablet, ODT and general diluent applications, supplied with a batch-wise certificate of analysis.
How Mannitol is made
An overview of the production route for orientation purposes. Our manufacturing partners' own process parameters and in-process controls are proprietary and are not disclosed beyond what is needed to interpret the certificate of analysis.
Mannitol is manufactured by the catalytic hydrogenation of fructose or a fructose/glucose mixture (commonly derived from corn or sucrose feedstocks), which reduces the sugar's carbonyl group to a hydroxyl, yielding a mixture of mannitol and sorbitol that is then separated by crystallisation: fructose + H₂ → mannitol. The crystallised mannitol is purified, and for direct-compression grades is further granulated or spray-crystallised to the required particle structure.
Why catalytic hydrogenation is the standard process
Hydrogenating fructose, a sugar already abundant from corn or sucrose processing, gives a direct, well-understood catalytic route to mannitol, and the subsequent crystallisation step cleanly separates it from its co-produced isomer sorbitol, which is why this has been the standard commercial process since mannitol was first produced industrially.
Industries and processes that use it
Mannitol is consumed across chewable tablet, ODT and sugar-free/diabetic-friendly formulation manufacture, where its pleasant taste and non-reducing chemistry are the main draw. The fields below account for most of the demand we see through our export desk.
Chewable & Orally Disintegrating Tablets (ODT)
Used as the primary diluent and sweetener in chewable tablets and ODT formulations, valued for pleasant taste, cooling mouthfeel and fast-dissolving directly compressible grades.
Sugar-Free & Diabetic-Friendly Formulations
Used as a sweetener and bulking agent in sugar-free syrups, lozenges and chewable formulations, since it is metabolised independently of insulin.
Parenteral (Injectable) Formulations
Used as an osmotic diluent and bulking agent in certain parenteral and lyophilised (freeze-dried) injectable formulations, given its good aqueous solubility and stability.
Lactose-Incompatible Drug Formulations
Used as the diluent of choice whenever the active ingredient is incompatible with lactose via the Maillard reaction, since mannitol is a non-reducing sugar alcohol.
How the molecule is typically carried forward
The non-reducing, fully hydroxylated polyol structure governs almost all of this material's functional behaviour as a diluent and sweetener. The mechanisms below account for most of how Mannitol performs its formulation roles.
Catalytic Hydrogenation (Upstream)
Fructose is hydrogenated under catalysis to form mannitol, which is then crystallised to separate it from co-produced sorbitol.
Endothermic Dissolution
Mannitol dissolves in water with a notably negative heat of solution, producing the characteristic cooling sensation experienced when a mannitol-based chewable or ODT tablet dissolves in the mouth.
Plastic/Brittle Deformation Under Compression
Depending on its polymorphic form, mannitol deforms plastically or fractures under compression, a behaviour directly exploited in directly compressible ODT grades.
Maillard-Reaction Avoidance
Being a non-reducing sugar alcohol, mannitol does not participate in the Maillard browning reaction with amine-containing drugs, unlike reducing sugars such as lactose.
Mannitol against other amines we supply
Buyers sourcing Mannitol for chewable, ODT or sugar-free formulation manufacture often need a related tableting diluent. A quick reference to what else is on our regular supply list.
| Product | CAS Number | Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mannitol | 69-65-8 | Sugar alcohol diluent & sweetener | The product on this page — the lactose-free diluent for chewable and ODT formulations. |
| Lactose Monohydrate | 64044-51-5 | Disaccharide hydrate diluent | The most widely used alternative tablet diluent — see its product page. |
| Sodium Starch Glycolate | 9063-38-1 | Starch-based superdisintegrant | A related superdisintegrant often formulated alongside mannitol in chewable and ODT tablets — see its product page. |
| Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) | 25322-68-3 | Polyether plasticiser & base | Another water-soluble pharmaceutical excipient in our range — see its product page. |
Exact physical constants and purity specifications are confirmed per batch on the certificate of analysis — treat the notes above as a sourcing guide, not a specification sheet, for products other than Mannitol.
Safety classification at a glance
Based on GHS classification as commonly listed for this substance. This is a summary for orientation only — always work from the current safety data sheet supplied with your specific batch.
Not classified as hazardous under GHS; a long-established, widely used pharmaceutical excipient and food additive.
Fine powder may cause transient mechanical irritation to eyes or respiratory tract; handle with standard dust control.
No significant acute toxicity hazard under normal pharmaceutical handling.
Large oral quantities can have a mild laxative effect, a known, well-characterised property of sugar alcohols rather than a handling hazard.
Standard dust mask and gloves are sufficient for routine handling in a pharmaceutical manufacturing environment.
Keep dry and sealed; non-hygroscopic but should be protected from moisture ingress as standard practice.
Follow standard pharmaceutical good manufacturing practice (GMP) for handling and cross-contamination control.
Not Classified — no GHS hazard pictogram applies to this excipient.
This material is not classified as hazardous under GHS and presents no significant acute toxicity hazard under normal pharmaceutical handling, though fine powder may cause transient mechanical irritation to eyes or the respiratory tract and should be handled with standard dust control. Like other sugar alcohols, large oral quantities can have a mild laxative effect, a well-characterised property relevant to formulation dosing rather than a handling hazard. Full handling and storage guidance is in the MSDS issued with every shipment, and standard pharmaceutical GMP practice should be followed.
Keeping it on spec between delivery and use
General storage guidance for this grade. Site-specific storage rules, segregation requirements and re-test intervals should follow your own EHS procedures and the MSDS issued with your batch.
Store in a cool, dry area in tightly sealed original packaging, away from moisture ingress and strong oxidizing agents. Although non-hygroscopic, standard moisture protection is recommended to preserve flow and compressibility, particularly for directly compressible grades. If a batch is held past its retest date, re-check assay and moisture content before use.
How it ships from Indonesia
Standard packing and export terms for this product. Confirm exact figures against your order — they vary slightly by destination and quantity.
What travels with every batch
Specification is agreed before the purchase order, not discovered on arrival. Every shipment of Mannitol leaves with a documented, checkable paper trail.
Certificate of Analysis
Batch-wise assay (by titration/GC), colour and relevant physical constants, issued against the agreed specification so your QC team can check it, not just file it.
Safety Data Sheet
GHS-format SDS in English covering hazard classification, handling, storage, first-aid and spill response for the exact grade of Mannitol shipped.
Technical Data Sheet
Reference physical and chemical properties, recommended storage and typical applications, for internal circulation to your process or R&D teams.
Certificate of Origin
Confirms Indonesian origin for customs clearance and any preferential-duty claim at your destination port.
Dangerous Goods Declaration
UN packing group, classification and shipper's declaration prepared ahead of loading so documentation never holds up customs.
Third-Party Inspection
Independent pre-shipment inspection and re-sampling can be arranged on request, at your cost, for buyers who require it as a matter of policy.
Frequently asked questions
What buyers most often ask our sales desk about this grade.
01What is Mannitol used for?+
02What is the CAS number of Mannitol?+
03How is Mannitol made?+
04What grades does Chelora Chemicals supply?+
05Why does Mannitol feel cooling when a tablet dissolves in the mouth?+
06Is Mannitol hazardous?+
07What packing options are available?+
08How long does delivery take?+
09Can I get a sample before placing a bulk order?+
10Do you supply Lactose Monohydrate and PEG as well?+
Need Mannitol on spec, on time?
Send us your required purity, quantity, packing preference and destination port. Our desk quotes most enquiries within one working day.