3.3.3.4 Other humectants
Based solely on the water activity reduction capacity (Table 3.1), sorbitol and fructose are the most desirable humectants. Sucrose has the third best reduction capacity and lactose the poorest. The amorphous form absorbs more water at specific aw than the corresponding crystalline form. As seen in Table 3.1, NaCl and KCl salts appear to be superior humectants at a high range of aw. The increased aw lowering ability exhibited by the salts may be explained by the smaller molecular weight, increasing the ability to bind or structure more water (Sloan and Labuza, 1975).