Allulose, the Sweetener Up-and-Comer

In response to the rapidly developing, low-calorie sweetener market, Eurofins Botanical Testing (Eurofins Supplement Analysis Center) has developed and validated a new HPLC analytical method for allulose (also known as psicose) determination. We recently had the opportunity to chat with Dr. Hong You to learn more about this new service offering.

Why was this allulose method developed?

Allulose was one of the “hottest” food/supplement ingredients in 2019 and continues its momentum by being highlighted in some of the largest international trade shows. This may be because of the Food & Drug Administration’s (FDA) draft guidance released April 17, 2019 which allows allulose to be excluded from the total and added sugar declarations on the Nutritional Facts and Supplement Facts panel labels when allulose is used as an ingredient. Based on this regulatory updated, our laboratory saw an opportunity to support the industry’s progressing analytical need.

What is allulose and how does it fit into the low-calorie sweetener market?

Allulose is a natural, low-calorie sugar that has a similar clean and sweet taste as sucrose. From nutritional standpoints, it produces negligible blood glucose increase, has fewer calories compared to sugar, and does not contribute to dental decay concerns. These attributes further substantiate the cause of its rapid popularity.

Are there alternatives to this method already in place? What are the advantages of this method developed by Eurofins in particular?

As with any novel ingredient, sourcing reliable, validated methodology can be challenging. In this case, Eurofins was unable to find a validated method for the quantification of allulose via academic or industrial sources. In order to facilitate the needs of our customers, we identified an opportunity to not only facilitate their requests, but also set the standard for allulose quantification for the entire industry. Furthermore, this method is relatively simple and cost-effective to implement.

What types of products are best suited for this method?

Pure allulose ingredients, syrup, and liquid beverages are best suited for the developed method. This provides suppliers the opportunity to verify their ingredients and manufacturers a transparent mode of supplier verification when considering ingredient usage to products utilizing sugar alternatives.

Can you provide a brief description of the allulose determination method?

This HPLC method employs multiple-point, external standard calibration and linear regression to quantify allulose and is capable of achieving chromatographic baseline resolution between allulose and other related sugar impurities that may exist during the processing of producing allulose (fructose and allose). The method is validated for high-purity allulose ingredient. The laboratory will keep a close eye on the sample types submitted for allulose quantification and determine if additional validation projects are warranted to extend the method scope.

Connect with the botanical testing team today to learn more about this service offering and all that Eurofins Botanical Testing is working on: info@eurofinsus.com

To learn more about the FDA’s draft guidance for ingredient usage of allulose, please visit their website: https://www.fda.gov/food/cfsan-constituent-updates/fda-issues-draft-guidance-regarding-declaration-allulose-nutrition-facts-label