mannitol

American  

[man-i-tawl, -tol] / ˈmæn ɪˌtɔl, -ˌtɒl /

noun

1. Chemistry. a white, crystalline, sweetish, water-soluble, carbohydrate alcohol, C 6 H 8 (OH) 6 , occurring in three optically different forms, the common one being found in the manna of the ash Fraxinus ornus and in other plants: used chiefly in the manufacture of resins, electrolytic condensers for radios, plasticizers, and mannitol hexanitrate, and as a pill excipient.

2. Pharmacology. the substance used as an osmotic diuretic to reduce intraocular and intracranial pressures.

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mannitol British  

/ məˈnɪtɪk, ˈmænaɪt, ˈmænɪˌtɒl /

noun

1. a white crystalline water-soluble sweet-tasting alcohol, found in plants and used in diet sweets and as a dietary supplement ( E421 ). Formula: C 6 H 14 O 6

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mannitol Scientific  

/ măn′ĭ-tôl′,-tōl′ /

1. A white, crystalline, water-soluble, slightly sweet alcohol that is used as a dietary supplement and dietetic sweetener and in medical tests of kidney function. Mannitol occurs naturally as an important food storage and transportation molecule in brown algae like kelp. Chemical formula: C ₆ H ₁₄ O ₆ .

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Other Word Forms

• mannitic adjective

Etymology

Origin of mannitol

First recorded in 1875–80; mannite + -ol ¹

Example Sentences

These so-called bulk sweeteners, such as sorbitol and mannitol, can have a laxative effect, so they aren't great options.

From Salon • Feb. 28, 2024

Furthermore, the presence of biological particles was confirmed through various methodologies, including electron microscopy and the detection of specific substances, such as the sugar alcohol compounds arabitol and mannitol.

From Science Daily • Sep. 28, 2023

However, isolated polyols — including erythritol, sorbitol, mannitol and xylitol — are used as sugar-free, low-calorie sweeteners in many food products.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 18, 2023

An example is the indigestible sugar mannitol, which is most often administered to reduce brain swelling after head injury.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

It also yields, by the so-called mucous fermentation, a mucous, gummy mass, mixed with mannitol and lactic acid.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 2 "Gloss" to "Gordon, Charles George" by Various