Maltitol is
manufactured from maltose
syrup.
Maltose syrup is
reduced to maltitol in
high temperature and
pressure conditions in the presence of
nickel as a
catalyst. It's a
stable chemical that has a
sweet taste and
holds
colour well. This makes it the
additive of
choice for
several foods.
Here is this
sugar replacer's
structure:
CH2 - OH
|
CH OH OH
/ \ \ /
HO = CH O CH - CH2
| | |
HO = CH CH - O - CH OH
\ / \ /
CH CH - CH
| | \
OH OH CH2 - OH
by me from some 3d model .pdf thing