Sorbitol

**Definition:** A polyhydric alcohol with about half the sweetness of sucrose. Sorbitol occurs naturally and is also produced synthetically from glucose. It was formerly used as a diuretic and may still be used as a laxative and in irrigating solutions for some surgical procedures. It is also used in many manufacturing processes, as a pharmaceutical aid, and in several research applications.

**Tree numbers:** - D02.033.800.813 - D09.853.813

**Synonyms:** - Glucitol