Maltodextrin

Description

Maltodextins are purified, concentrated, nonsweet, nutritive carbohydrates made by hydrolyzing com starch. It occurs as a white, slightly hygroscopic powder, as granules of similar description, or as a clear to hazy solution in water. Powders or granules are freely soluble or readily dispersible in water. A solution of maltodextrin is characterized by a bland flavor, smooth mouthfeel, and short texture, and can partially or totally replace fat in a variety of formulations. Maltodextrins can also be used to replace fats in extruded high fiber cereals and snacks. Theyare currently used commercially for fat replacement in salad dressings, dips, margarine, and frozen desserts. As fat replacers, maltodextrins furnish only four calories per gram, while fats furnish nine calories per gram.

Chemical Properties

White powder or solution from partial hydrolysis of wheat or corn starch.

Chemical Properties

Maltodextrin occurs as a nonsweet, odorless, white powder or granules. The solubility, hygroscopicity, sweetness, and compressibility of maltodextrin increase as the DE increases. The USP32– NF27 states that it may be physically modified to improve its physical and functional characteristics.

Uses

maltodextrin is a polysaccharide obtained most often from corn, potato, or rice starch. It is considered to be absorbent, and skin conditioning. It can also be employed as an emulsion stabilizer and/or a film former. Maltodextrin is incorporated into a variety of cosmetic preparations, including face powders, makeup, creams, lotions, gels, and soaps.

Uses

Short-chain saccharide polymers obtained from the partial acid or enzymatic hydrolysis of starch, in the same manner as corn syrup except the conversion process is stopped at an earlier stage. It consists of D-glucose units linked principally by alpha-1,4 bonds, has a dextrose equivalent of less than 20 and basically is not sweet and is not fermentable. It has fair solubility. It functions as a bodying agent, bulking agent, texturizer, carrier, and crystallization inhibitor. It is used in crackers, puddings, candies, and sugar-free ice cream.

Uses

Maltodextrin is an oligosaccharide that is derived from starch. Maltodextrin is commonly used as a food additive and in the production of candies and sodas.

Production Methods

Maltodextrin is prepared by heating and treating starch with acid and/or enzymes in the presence of water. This process partially hydrolyzes the starch, to produce a solution of glucose polymers of varying chain length. This solution is then filtered, concentrated, and dried to obtain maltodextrin.

General Description

Maltodextrin is a polysaccharide produced from starch by partial enzymatic hydrolysis of starch. Starch (amylum) is a carbohydrate consisting of a large number of glucose units linked by glycosidic bonds and is present in a large quantities in corn, potatoes, wheat etc Maltodextrin has a dextrose equivalence less than 20 which indicates that it has long carbohydrate chains along with 2-3% glucose and 5-7% maltose and is available in white hygroscopic spray-dried powder which is slightly sweet almost flavourless. It is soluble and readily dispersible in water and slightly soluble to almost insoluble in alcohol. The body digests Maltodextrin as a simple carbohydrate and thus can be easily converted to instant energy. Due to this quality it is used in sports drinks and quick energy satchels for endurance athletes. Use of Maltodextrin is also dependant on the grade that is the DE value for instance MD with low DE value are stickier and thus is used in gelatinous products like syrups and jams whereas high DE value MD freeze better and is used as a bulking agent in ice creams.

General Description

Maltodextrin is a saccharide polymer that can be classified as a carbohydrate. It can be produced by acid hydrolysis of the starch. The powdered material formed after purification and spray drying can be used in a variety of food and beverage products. It can be used as a good source of energy in food products with a value of 16 kJ/g.

Pharmaceutical Applications

Maltodextrin is used in tablet formulations as a binder and diluent in both direct-compression and wet-granulation or agglomeration processes. Maltodextrin appears to have no adverse effect on the rate of dissolution of tablet and capsule formulations; magnesium stearate 0.5–1.0% may be used as a lubricant. It has been used as a carrier in a spray-dried redispersible oil-in-water emulsion to improve the bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs.Maltodextrin may also be used as a tablet film former in aqueous film-coating processes. Maltodextrin grades with a high DE value are particularly useful in chewable tablet formulations.
Maltodextrin may also be used in pharmaceutical formulations to increase the viscosity of solutions and to prevent the crystallization of syrups. Therapeutically, maltodextrin is often used as a carbohydrate source in oral nutritional supplements because solutions with a lower osmolarity than isocaloric dextrose solutions can be prepared. At body osmolarity, maltodextrin solutions provide a higher caloric density than sugars.
Maltodextrin is also widely used in confectionery and food products, as well as personal care applications.

Safety Profile

When heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes.

Safety

Maltodextrin is a readily digestible carbohydrate with a nutritional value of approximately 17 kJ/g (4 kcal/g). In the USA, it is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) as a direct human food ingredient at levels consistent with current good manufacturing practices. As an excipient, maltodextrin is generally regarded as a nonirritant and nontoxic material.

storage

Maltodextrin is stable for at least 1 year when stored at a cool temperature (<30°C) and less than 50% relative humidity. Maltodextrin solutions may require the addition of an antimicrobial preservative.
Maltodextrin should be stored in a well-closed container in a cool, dry place.

Incompatibilities

Under certain pH and temperature conditions maltodextrin may undergo Maillard reactions with amino acids to produce yellowing or browning. Incompatible with strong oxidizing agents.

Regulatory Status

GRAS listed. Included in the FDA Inactive Ingredients Database (oral tablets and granules). Included in nonparenteral medicines licensed in the UK. Included in the Canadian List of Acceptable Non-medicinal Ingredients.