Orientated growth of crystalline anhydrous maltitol (4-O-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-D-glucitol).

In the industrial crystallisation process of maltitol (C(12)H(24)O(11)), the presence of maltotriitol (C(18)H(34)O(16)) in the maltose syrup is responsible for a change of the crystal morphology. Two different crystal forms of maltitol were obtained: a prismatic one and a 'bipyramidal' one. IR and X-ray diffraction experiments (single crystal and powder) were performed to identify both crystal parameters. It is concluded that a structural polymorphism has to be ruled out. Close coincidences in some of the crystal cell parameters of maltitol and maltotriitol allow to assume the process through which maltotriitol affects the morphology of maltitol crystals.