Pharma Excipient · Tablet Diluent · Lyo Bulking Agent
Mannitol (D-mannitol), the non-hygroscopic sugar alcohol used as a diluent in chewable and orally disintegrating tablets and as a bulking agent in freeze-dried injectables. Supplied by Chelora Pharmachem, Mumbai, and delivered across India with a batch COA and SDS.
How Buying Works
Send the quantity, grade (IP, BP, USP or EP), type (crystalline powder, granulated or spray-dried DC), city and date. Quote CAS 69-65-8 so there is no confusion.
Price, lead time and packing in one reply, with the specification, COA and SDS/MSDS for your QA team to review.
Samples can be arranged for QC testing, compression or lyophilisation trials and vendor qualification before your order.
Packed, labelled and sent with invoice, batch COA and transport documents. Repeat orders are planned with you.
Product Overview
Mannitol (D-mannitol, mannite, mannitolum; CAS 69-65-8) is a six-carbon sugar alcohol (polyol) with the formula C6H14O6, carrying one hydroxyl group on every carbon. It is a white, odourless crystalline powder or free-flowing granule with a sweet, cooling taste, about half as sweet as sucrose. Mannitol is freely soluble in water, about 1 g in 5.5 mL, and only slightly soluble in ethanol. Unlike most sugars and polyols it is practically non-hygroscopic, which is why tablet formulators value it so highly.
In pharmaceuticals, mannitol is a preferred diluent for chewable and orally disintegrating tablets, where its pleasant cooling taste and low moisture uptake matter, and it is the most common bulking agent in freeze-dried injectables. Granulated and spray-dried grades are made for direct compression. Mannitol is also an active ingredient: as an intravenous infusion it acts as an osmotic diuretic, used in hospitals to reduce raised intracranial and intraocular pressure. In food it is the sweetener and anti-sticking dusting agent E421 in sugar-free confectionery and chewing gum.
As a chemical supplier in Mumbai, Chelora Pharmachem supplies pharmacopoeia-grade mannitol to tablet, injectable, nutraceutical and food manufacturers across India, with a batch-wise COA, SDS/MSDS and specification. Tell us the pharmacopoeia and type, such as crystalline powder, granulated or spray-dried, and whether you need a low-endotoxin grade for parenteral use, and we quote against your specification. We also supply Croscarmellose Sodium, the superdisintegrant most often paired with mannitol in orally disintegrating tablets.
In Depth
Mannitol is a hexitol: a straight chain of six carbons, each carrying a hydroxyl group, made by reducing the aldehyde or ketone group of a hexose sugar. The pharmaceutical form is D-mannitol, the (2R,3R,4R,5R) isomer. It is a C-2 epimer of sorbitol, so the two share the same formula and molar mass but differ sharply in solubility, hygroscopicity and crystal behaviour.
With no free carbonyl group, mannitol is not a reducing sugar, so it does not undergo the Maillard reaction with amine drugs. It takes up almost no water from air until the humidity is very high, which protects moisture-sensitive actives. It dissolves with a strongly negative heat of solution, giving the cooling mouthfeel prized in chewable tablets and mints.
Most mannitol is made by catalytic hydrogenation of fructose-rich sugar syrups, often from starch or sucrose. The reaction gives a mixture of mannitol and sorbitol; mannitol, being far less soluble, is separated by crystallisation, then refined, dried and milled. Some producers extract it from seaweed, and fermentation routes exist. Granulated and spray-dried grades are made from the refined crystals.
In tablets, mannitol is a diluent for chewable, orally disintegrating, effervescent and moisture-sensitive formulations; direct-compression grades compress well and flow freely. In freeze-dried injectables it crystallises during freezing and gives a strong, elegant cake that reconstitutes quickly. Several polymorphs exist (α, β and δ); the stable β form is the usual commercial crystal, and some DC grades use other forms.
Confirm the pharmacopoeia (IP, BP, USP or EP) and the type: crystalline powder, granulated or spray-dried DC grade. Then compare assay, sorbitol and related substances, reducing sugars, nickel (a hydrogenation catalyst residue), conductivity, loss on drying and particle size. For injectables or freeze-dried products, ask for bacterial endotoxin and microbial limits, along with the batch COA and SDS.
Chelora Pharmachem supplies mannitol (CAS 69-65-8) from its centralized sales office in Mumbai to formulation, injectable, nutraceutical and food manufacturers across India. Share the grade, type or particle size, quantity, packing and delivery location, and our team replies with price, lead time and documents, from trial lots to regular bulk supply, keeping the same grade for repeat orders.
Global Sourcing
Our focus is the Indian market. When local supply is short, or you need a specific origin, DC grade, particle size or low-endotoxin quality, our international sourcing desk brings mannitol in from trusted producers abroad, and our Mumbai team handles import, documents and delivery to your plant.
Product Profile
The identifiers and properties purchase and QA teams ask for first. Batch values are always confirmed on the COA.
Identity
EC 200-711-8, PubChem CID 6251. D-mannitol, also called mannite. An isomer of sorbitol (50-70-4).
A six-carbon chain with one –OH on every carbon: the sugar alcohol D-mannitol.
Appearance
White crystalline powder or free-flowing granules; odourless, sweet with a cooling taste.
Hygroscopicity
Picks up very little water from air, so it suits moisture-sensitive actives. Freely soluble in water.
Technical Data
Reference data for Mannitol, useful when writing a specification, checking an SDS or planning storage and transport.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| IUPAC name | (2R,3R,4R,5R)-Hexane-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexol |
| Synonyms | D-Mannitol, D-(−)-mannitol, mannite, mannitolum, E421 |
| CAS number | 69-65-8 (D-mannitol); sorbitol, its isomer, is 50-70-4 |
| EC number | 200-711-8 |
| PubChem CID | 6251 |
| Molecular formula | C6H14O6 |
| Molar mass | 182.17 g/mol |
| Appearance | White crystalline powder or free-flowing granules; odourless, sweet with a cooling taste |
| Melting point | 165–170 °C (pharmacopoeial melting range); about 166–168 °C for the stable β form |
| Boiling point | About 290–295 °C at 4 hPa |
| Density | About 1.52 g/cm³ at 20 °C |
| Solubility in water | Freely soluble; about 1 g in 5.5 mL (roughly 18% w/v) at 25 °C |
| Other solvents | Slightly soluble in ethanol (about 1 g in 83 mL); practically insoluble in ether |
| Specific optical rotation | +23° to +25° (measured with sodium tetraborate, Ph. Eur.) |
| Hygroscopicity | Practically non-hygroscopic; takes up little water until relative humidity is very high |
| Sweetness | About 50–70% that of sucrose, with a cooling effect |
| HS code | 2905.43 |
| Transport | Not regulated as a dangerous good for road, sea or air; confirm with the batch SDS |
Literature values for reference. Supplied material is tested batch-wise and reported on the COA.
Applications
Mannitol’s low hygroscopicity, cooling sweetness and clean crystallisation make it useful from tablet presses to freeze-dryers, hospital infusions and sugar-free sweets.
Mannitol is the diluent of choice for chewable tablets and ODTs. Its sweet, cooling taste masks bitterness, it dissolves quickly in the mouth, and it does not draw moisture. Granulated and spray-dried grades are designed for direct compression, often with a superdisintegrant such as croscarmellose sodium.
Oral solid dosage
In lyophilised (freeze-dried) products, mannitol crystallises during freezing and builds a firm, elegant cake that holds its shape and reconstitutes quickly. It is used for small-molecule and biological injectables, often with an annealing step in the freeze-drying cycle. Low-endotoxin grades are specified for this use.
Lyophilisation
Mannitol is also an active pharmaceutical ingredient. Given by intravenous infusion, usually as a 10% or 20% solution, it raises the osmotic pressure of plasma and draws water out of tissues. Hospitals use it to reduce raised intracranial and intraocular pressure. Inhaled mannitol is also used in some cystic fibrosis therapy and airway tests.
Parenteral grade
As food additive E421, mannitol sweetens sugar-free mints, hard candies and chocolate, and is dusted on chewing gum to stop it sticking, thanks to its low hygroscopicity. It does not cause tooth decay and raises blood glucose less than sucrose. Large amounts can have a laxative effect.
Food grade · E421
Mannitol is the fermentable sugar in mannitol salt agar, the selective medium used to pick out Staphylococcus aureus, which ferments mannitol and turns the phenol red indicator yellow. It is also used as a reagent, osmotic agent and reference standard in QC and research laboratories.
Culture media
Quality & Compliance
Every supply is backed by the documents your QA, regulatory and stores teams expect.
COA, batch-wise
Tests, limits and results for the exact batch you receive, shared before dispatch.
SDS / MSDS
Hazards, safe handling, storage, transport and first-aid measures for Mannitol.
Technical data
Typical properties and the specification we supply against, to match with your in-house spec.
On request
Additional documents for vendor approval and audits can be arranged on request.
Safety & Handling
A short summary for stores, production and EHS teams. It does not replace the Safety Data Sheet supplied with every batch.
Mannitol is not classified as hazardous under GHS according to major supplier SDSs, and no hazard pictogram or signal word is required. Swallowing large amounts can cause a laxative effect. Check the SDS of the batch for the classification that applies.
Wear safety glasses and gloves, and a dust mask where fine powder is handled in quantity. Use local exhaust ventilation at milling, sieving and charging points, and follow good hygiene practice.
Keep bags tightly closed in a cool, dry, well-ventilated store, ideally below 25 °C, away from strong oxidising agents and sources of heat. On burning it gives carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide.
Like other fine organic powders, mannitol dust can form combustible clouds in air, so avoid dust build-up and ignition sources. It is not regulated as a dangerous good for road, sea or air transport.
Sweep up or vacuum spills without raising dust and collect them in closed containers for disposal. Mannitol is readily biodegradable, but large quantities should still be kept out of drains and water courses.
PAN India Delivery
From our centralized sales office in Mumbai, we supply Mannitol to buyers in every major manufacturing cluster.
MumbaiMumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Tarapur, Boisar, Pune and Aurangabad.
AhmedabadAhmedabad, Vadodara, Ankleshwar and Vapi.
HyderabadHyderabad and Visakhapatnam.
BaddiBaddi and Haridwar.
GoaPharma and chemical units across Goa.
BengaluruBengaluru and Chennai.
IndoreIndore, Pithampur and Sikkim.
Specification
A typical specification for pharmacopoeia-grade mannitol (IP / BP / USP / EP). Share your in-house or pharmacopoeia specification, DC grade or particle-size need, and we quote against it.
The Chemistry
Made
Fructose-rich syrup is hydrogenated over a catalyst, giving mannitol together with sorbitol. Because mannitol is much less soluble, it crystallises out and is refined, dried and milled, or granulated and spray-dried for DC grades. Some mannitol is extracted from brown seaweed, a natural source.
Used
It is blended with the active and compressed into chewable tablets and ODTs, dissolved with a drug and freeze-dried into vials, or made into sterile infusions as an osmotic diuretic. Being non-reducing and non-hygroscopic, it suits sensitive actives, including those with amine groups.
Tested
Each batch is reported on a COA covering identification, optical rotation, conductivity, reducing sugars, sorbitol and related substances, nickel, loss on drying and assay, plus particle size for the grade and endotoxins for parenteral grades, so your QC team can release it quickly.
Stored
Mannitol is stable and non-hygroscopic, but keep bags closed in a cool, dry store away from strong oxidising agents to protect quality and flow. Concentrated mannitol infusions can crystallise when cold, and fine dust should be controlled as for any organic powder.
Glossary
Terms you will meet on quotations, specifications and documents for Mannitol.
FAQ
Anything else, call +91 98191 11179 or write to source@chelorapharmachem.com.
Request a QuoteMannitol (CAS 69-65-8) is used as a diluent in chewable, orally disintegrating and direct-compression tablets, as a bulking agent in freeze-dried injectables, and as an osmotic diuretic given by intravenous infusion. It is also the sugar-free sweetener E421 in mints and chewing gum, and an ingredient of mannitol salt agar.
The CAS number of D-mannitol is 69-65-8 and its EC number is 200-711-8. Its formula is C6H14O6 and its molar mass is 182.17 g/mol. Sorbitol, its isomer, has a different CAS number, 50-70-4, so quote the CAS number to avoid confusion.
Yes. Pharmaceutical and food mannitol is D-mannitol, the naturally occurring form, also called mannite or mannitolum. The L-form is a laboratory curiosity and is not what is meant in IP, BP, USP or EP monographs.
Both are C6H14O6 sugar alcohols and differ only in the orientation of one hydroxyl group. Sorbitol (CAS 50-70-4) is very soluble and hygroscopic, so it suits syrups and moisture-retaining uses. Mannitol is far less soluble and practically non-hygroscopic, which makes it better for tablets, freeze-dried cakes and dusting chewing gum.
We supply pharmacopoeia grades to IP, BP, USP and EP as crystalline powder, plus granulated and spray-dried direct-compression grades, with low-endotoxin parenteral and food grades sourced on request, subject to availability. Tell us the type and particle size when you enquire.
Yes. Mannitol is given by intravenous infusion as an osmotic diuretic and is a common bulking agent in freeze-dried injectables. These uses need parenteral-quality material with bacterial endotoxin limits; tell us when you enquire so we quote a suitable grade with the right documents.
Keep it in tightly closed bags in a cool, dry and well-ventilated store, ideally below 25 °C, away from strong oxidising agents and heat. Follow the storage section of the SDS supplied with the batch.
Mannitol is classified under HS subheading 2905.43, which covers mannitol among the acyclic polyalcohols. Confirm the full national tariff code with your customs broker before import or export.
Mannitol is not classified as hazardous under GHS, but fine dust can irritate the eyes and airways and can form combustible clouds. Eating large amounts can have a laxative effect, which is why foods with added polyols carry a warning in many countries. Read the batch SDS before handling.
No. Mannitol is not regulated as a dangerous good for road, sea or air transport. Always check the transport section of the SDS supplied with the batch.
We provide a batch-wise Certificate of Analysis (COA), SDS/MSDS and specifications. Additional documents for vendor qualification can be arranged on request.
Yes. We handle requirements from samples and trial lots for R&D, formulation and vendor approval up to regular bulk supply for commercial production, subject to product availability.
We supply buyers across India, including Maharashtra, Gujarat, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Goa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Sikkim, from our centralized sales office in Mumbai.
Email source@chelorapharmachem.com or source@cheloragroup.com, call +91 98191 11179, or use the enquiry form on this page. Include the quantity, grade, delivery location and target date.
Request a Quote
Tell us the quantity, grade and delivery location. Our centralized sales team replies with competitive pricing, lead time and documentation.
