Dextrose monohydrate is a refined, natural carbohydrate functioning as a sweetener, texturizer, and fermentation substrate in food, pharmaceutical, and industrial applications. It appears as white, odorless crystalline powder or granules with a clean, moderately sweet taste (approximately 70-75% the sweetness of sucrose). Dextrose monohydrate exhibits excellent solubility in water (82g/100 mL at 25°C) and slight solubility in alcohol. Its unique crystalline structure contains one molecule of water of crystallization per glucose molecule, giving it superior stability and consistent performance in various applications.
With a molecular weight of 198.17 g/mol and chemical formula C₆H₁₂O₆·H₂O, dextrose monohydrate is the crystalline form of D-glucose containing 9% water of crystallization. It has a pH of approximately 4.0-6.5 in solution and a melting point of around 83°C. Dextrose monohydrate demonstrates excellent thermal stability, non-hygroscopic properties, and consistent particle size distribution. Its rapid energy absorption, pleasant sweetness profile, and ability to reduce water activity make it an essential ingredient in confectionery, bakery products, processed foods, sports nutrition, and pharmaceutical formulations where controlled crystallization, fermentation, or balanced sweetness is desired.
