Mannose (D-Mannose – Aldohexose Monosaccharide)
Introduction
Mannose (D-Mannose; CAS No. 3458-28-4; Molecular Formula: C₆H₁₂O₆; Molecular Weight: 180.16 g/mol) is a naturally occurring aldohexose monosaccharide and the C-2 epimer of D-glucose. It occurs in trace amounts in fruits such as cranberries, blueberries, apples, and certain vegetables, as well as in plant polysaccharides and some microbial cell walls. In human physiology, mannose is an essential building block for glycoprotein and glycolipid synthesis, playing a critical role in cell-cell recognition, immune regulation, and protein folding.
Industrial Production
Due to its low natural abundance, commercial D-Mannose is produced via enzymatic epimerization of D-glucose or D-fructose using D-mannose isomerase, or by hydrolyzing plant-derived polysaccharides such as ivory nut mannan. These methods yield high-purity crystalline mannose (≥99%) that meets both food-grade and cosmetic-grade quality standards.
Physicochemical Properties
|
Parameter |
Typical Value |
Significance |
|
Purity |
≥99% |
Ensures high quality for food, cosmetic, and pharma use |
|
Appearance |
White crystalline powder |
Visual quality control |
|
Melting Point |
~132–134 °C |
Indicator of identity and purity |
|
Specific Rotation [α]D |
+14.0° to +15.0° |
Confirms stereochemistry |
|
Water Solubility |
~22 g/100 mL @ 25 °C |
Suitable for aqueous systems |
|
Sweetness |
~50–60% of sucrose |
Mild, clean taste profile |
|
pKa |
~12.1 (weak acid) |
Stable in neutral formulations |
Functional Background
In nutraceuticals, D-Mannose is recognized for its ability to bind to FimH adhesins on certain bacteria such as Escherichia coli, helping to prevent bacterial attachment to urinary tract epithelial cells. In cosmetics, it functions as a humectant and skin-conditioning agent, enhancing hydration, smoothness, and texture without stickiness. As a functional sugar, it has a low glycemic impact and potential benefits for digestive health.
Market Insights
The global D-Mannose market is expanding steadily, driven by demand in urinary tract health supplements, functional foods, and cosmetic formulations. North America and Europe are key consumer regions, while Asia-Pacific is emerging as a fast-growing market. Regulatory acceptance is strong—D-Mannose is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) in the US and permitted in foods and cosmetics across the EU, Japan, and other major markets.
Benefits
✓ Urinary Tract Health Support – Helps reduce bacterial adhesion in the urinary tract, supporting overall urinary wellness.
✓ Skin Conditioning & Hydration – Improves skin moisture retention and texture without a sticky feel.
✓ Low Glycemic Functional Sugar – Offers mild sweetness with minimal impact on blood glucose.
✓ High Purity & Safety – Food- and cosmetic-grade quality with strong regulatory acceptance.
Applications
Dietary Supplements: Capsules, powders, sachets targeting urinary tract health
Functional Foods: Low-glycemic sweetener for beverages, bars, and nutritional products
Cosmetics & Personal Care: Moisturizers, serums, and masks as a humectant and texture enhancer
Pharmaceutical & Biotech: Glycosylation research, carbohydrate-based drug design
Product Processing
