General description
D-Mannitol is a hexose present in plants, bacteria, algae, and fungi.
Application
D-Mannitol has been used as a component of soya flour mannitol (SFM) medium for culturing Streptomyces.
Biochem/physiol Actions
D-Mannitol finds application in the food and pharmaceutical industry. The interaction of mannitol with neutrophils and monocytes is correlated to the upregulation of immune markers. Mannitol acts as a free-radical scavenger and may be beneficial during ischemia-reperfusion injury. It possesses osmotic diuretic properties and may help in managing cerebral edema and high intracranial pressure (ICP).
A sugar alcohol sweet tastant. Used in sweetness inhibition studies.
Other Notes
Important starting material for the synthesis of many chiral building blocks.