The sorption and desorption of water in lactitols

Anhydrous lactitols (A1, alpha- and beta-lactitol), lactitol monohydrate, lactitol dihydrate and lactitol trihydrate were kept for varying times in atmospheres of different relative humidity at 20 degrees C in equivalent size plastic desiccators. The relative humidities (8-95%) were maintained with saturated salt solutions and drying agents (silica gel and phosphorous pentoxide). The composition of the samples was monitored by thermogravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray powder diffraction. According to these measurements both lactitol monohydrate and lactitol dihydrate were substantially stable under the conditions used. Lactitol monohydrate converts to lactitol dihydrate at the highest relative humidity used. All phases of anhydrous lactitol convert into a form of lactitol monohydrate but not to lactitol dihydrate, even at the highest relative humidity used. At a high relative humidity lactitol trihydrate easily loses part of its crystal water and converts partly to lactitol dihydrate. At a lower relative humidity, the phase forming from trihydrate is difficult to identify.