Glucose, Liquid

Basic Information

Name: Glucose, Liquid

CAS No: Liquid glucose.

Functional Categories

Coating agent Sweetening agent Tablet binder

1. Nonproprietary Names

BP: Liquid Glucose PhEur: Glucose, Liquid USP-NF: Liquid Glucose

2. Synonyms

Corn syrup; C*PharmSweet; Flolys; Glucomalt; glucose syrup; glucosum liquidum; Glucosweet; Mylose; Roclys; starch syrup.

3. Chemical Name & CAS Registry

Liquid glucose.

6. Applications

Liquid glucose is used as a base in oral solutions and syrups and also as a granulating and coating agent in tablet manufacture. In sugar solutions for tablet coating, liquid glucose is used to retard the crystallization of the sucrose. Liquid glucose is also used in confectionery products. See Table I.

7. Description

Liquid glucose is an aqueous solution of several compounds, principally dextrose, dextrin, fructose, and maltose, with other oligosaccharides and polysaccharides. It is a colorless, odorless, and viscous sweet-tasting liquid, ranging in color from colorless to straw-colored. Liquid glucose is classified into four categories according to its degree of hydrolysis, expressed as dextrose equivalent (DE): Type I: 20–38 DE; Type II: 38–58 DE; Type III: 58–73 DE; Type IV: >73 DE.

8. Pharmacopeial Specifications

See Table II.

9. Typical Properties

Density 1.43 g/cm3 at 208C Solubility Miscible with water; partially miscible with ethanol (90%). Viscosity (dynamic) 13.0–14.5 mPa s (13.0–14.5 cP) at 218C.

10. Stability & Storage

Liquid glucose should be stored in a well-closed container in a cool, dry place. Elevated temperatures will cause discoloration.

11. Incompatibilities

Incompatible with strong oxidizing agents.

12. Method of Manufacture

Liquid glucose is prepared by the incomplete acidic or enzymatic hydrolysis of starch.

13. Safety

Liquid glucose is used in oral pharmaceutical formulations and confectionery products and is generally regarded as a nontoxic and nonirritant material. It may be consumed by diabetics. See also Dextrose. LD50 (mouse, IV): 9 g/kg(1)

14. Handling Precautions

Observe normal precautions appropriate to the circumstances and quantity of material handled.

15. Regulatory Status

GRAS listed. Included in the FDA Inactive Ingredients Database (oral solutions, syrups, and tablets; topical emulsions and gels). Included in nonparenteral medicines licensed in the UK. Included in the Canadian List of Acceptable Non-medicinal Ingredients.

16. Related Substances

Dextrin; dextrose; maltose.

17. Comments

A specification for glucose syrup is contained in the Food Chemicals Codex (FCC).(2) The PhEur 6.4 also includes a specification for glucose, liquid, spray-dried. The EINECS number for glucose is 200-075-1.