Sugar is not the only sweetener manufacturers use to give baked goods, soft drinks and more their sweet flavor. High-maltose corn syrup is another sweetener used in the manufacturing process. Manufacturers use it because it improves shelf life and inhibits bacterial growth and fermentation.
Manufacturing
High-maltose corn syrup is produced from cornstarch. To create the syrup, manufacturers expose cornstarch to enzymes or acids known to break down the cornstarch into maltose. The term "high" in the high-maltose corn syrup label means the syrup contains 35 percent or more maltose. A disaccharide, maltose consists of two glucose units. Its chemical properties make it similar to other sweeteners like corn syrup solids and maltodextrin.
Sweetness
In terms of sweetness, maltose is considered in the lower end of the natural sweetener scale. When measured by weight, fructose received a ranking of 1.3 -- the highest-rated sweetness -- from London South Bank University. Sucrose received a ranking of 1.0, while high-fructose corn syrup, which contains about 55 percent fructose, ranks 1.1. On this scale, maltose and maltose syrup received a 0.3. This means maltose is not as sweet as many other natural sweeteners and helps explain why you may find high-maltose corn syrup in foods that have some sweetness, but are not intensely sweet -- like an energy bar.
Food Additive
High-maltose corn syrup has a very low freezing point, which makes it ideal as an additive to foods like frozen desserts. You also may find high-maltose corn syrup on the ingredients listings for hard and soft candies, soft drinks and other baked goods.
Concerns and Controversies
Sweeteners like high-fructose corn syrup and high-maltose corn syrup have come under fire for their potential health risks. Sweeteners are linked to obesity, dental cavities, higher triglyceride levels and overall poor nutrition, notes MayoClinic.com. Like high-fructose corn syrup, sucrose and other sweeteners, you should consume high-maltose corn syrup in moderation because it does contain calories. This means you can gain weight -- and a sweet tooth -- if you eat high amounts of these foods. MayoClinic.com recommends consuming no more than 100 calories of added sugar from any food source throughout your day, including food products that contain high-maltose corn syrup.
References
- "Glamour"; Meet High-Fructose Corn Syrup's Sneaky Cousin: High "Maltose" Corn Syrup; Sarah Jio; July 2010
- Center for Science in the Public Interest; Food Additives - CSPI's Food Safety; 2011
- Corn Products; U.S. Product Line
- Elmhurst College; Maltose; 2003
- London South Bank University; Production of Syrups Containing Maltose; Martin Chaplin; December 2004
- MayoClinic.com; High-Fructose Corn Syrup: What Are the Health Concerns?: October 2010
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