Isomalt, also known as isomaltitol or Palatinit, is a sugar alcohol (polyol) derived from sucrose. It is a disaccharide composed of glucose and mannitol (1-O-α-D-glucopyranosyl-D-mannitol) and its isomer, 1-O-α-D-glucopyranosyl-D-sorbitol. It is a white, crystalline, odorless powder with low hygroscopicity and high chemical stability. Its primary application is as a bulk sugar replacer and sweetener in the food industry. It provides about 50% of the sweetness of sucrose with nearly half the calories, is non-cariogenic (tooth-friendly), and has a very low glycemic index, making it suitable for diabetic foods and "sugar-free" or "no sugar added" products. It is widely used in confectionery (especially hard candies and compressed tablets), baked goods, chocolate, and chewing gum due to its excellent heat stability, low moisture absorption, and good solubility. Beyond food, isomalt finds use in cosmetics and personal care products as a humectant and skin-conditioning agent. It helps to retain moisture, improve skin texture, and can act as a bulking agent. It is also used in pharmaceutical applications as an excipient, particularly in tablet formulations, serving as a diluent or binder due to its low hygroscopicity and good compressibility.