mannitol

views updated May 29 2018

mannitol A polyhydric alcohol, CH2OH(CHOH)4CH2OH, derived from mannose or fructose. It is the main soluble sugar in fungi and an important carbohydrate reserve in brown algae. Mannitol is used as a sweetener in certain foodstuffs and as a diuretic in medicine to relieve fluid retention.

mannitol

views updated May 18 2018

mannitol Mannite or manna sugar, a six‐carbon sugar alcohol found in beets, pumpkin, mushrooms, onions; 50–60% as sweet as sucrose. Extracted commercially from seaweed (Laminaria spp.) or made from the sugar mannose (E‐421).

mannitol

views updated May 17 2018

mannitol A polyhydroxy alcohol, which can be synthesized chemically by the reduction of mannose. It is found in many higher plants and in some algae.

mannitol

views updated May 23 2018

mannitol (man-i-tol) n. a diuretic administered by intravenous infusion mainly to reduce intracranial pressure in brain injuries, and in the emergency treatment of glaucoma.