Digestion of maltitol in man, rat, and rabbit.

Maltitol is found to be enzymatically hydrolyzed by the small intestinal mucosa of man, rat, and rabbit and metabolized by everted sacs of rabbit intestine at a moderate rate. On in vivo perfusion of maltitol (15.3 mumol/min) through the small intestine, 19% of the sugar alcohol is digested by gnotobiotic rats. 120 min after stomach intubation of gnotobiotic rats, only 31% of the ingested maltitol is found in the ileum. A daily application of 35 g maltitol to 4 human beings does not influence the parameters of well-being, compatibility and fecal state. It is concluded that maltitol will be digested and utilized by man, rat, and rabbit.