Synthetic polymer of glucose Polydextrose multi-purpose food ingredient used to replace sugar Polydextrose Sources from Corn Background Polydextrose is made of many dextrose (glucose) carbohydrates that randomly bond together and form a polymer. Polydextrose is produced from naturally occurring components. The 1,6-glucosidic linkage predominates in the polymer but α- and β-1,2; 1,3; 1,4 linkages are also present. Polydextrose is a multi-purpose food ingredient used to replace sugar, fat and calories and to increase fiber content of foods; it also functions as a stabilizer, bulking agent and to help maintain the ideal moisture in a food. Polydextrose has been used as a food ingredient since the 1960’s. Nutritional Properties Due to the complex linkage distribution in its highly branched structure, polydextrose resists digestion in the upper gastrointestinal tract and is partially fermented in the colon. Because polydextrose is not digeste…