What is Maltose Used For?
Maltose (CAS 69-79-4) is a naturally occurring reducing disaccharide composed of two glucose units linked by an alpha-1,4-glycosidic bond. It is produced industrially through the enzymatic hydrolysis of starch by amylase enzymes, forming the primary sugar in malted grain extracts, corn maltose syrup, and purified maltose powder. With a sweetness level approximately 30–35% of sucrose and clean, non-lingering sweetness profile, maltose occupies a unique position in food and nutrition applications — combining fermentability, Maillard browning reactivity, and digestibility in a single ingredient that inorganic sugar alternatives cannot replicate.
WIS Biotech produces food-grade maltose powder at its Shandong, China production facility, as part of a 10,000 m² integrated ingredient manufacturing complex with 60,000 MT/year combined output. Our maltose is derived from high-quality starch through enzymatic conversion and purification processes, produced under the same rigorous ISO 9001 and FSSC 22000 quality systems that govern our mineral gluconate product lines. We supply maltose to food manufacturers, brewing ingredient companies, sports nutrition brands, and infant formula producers in more than 80 countries.
Key Applications
Brewing, Fermentation, and Malt Beverages
Maltose is the principal fermentable sugar in beer brewing and malt-based beverage production. Brewer’s yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) metabolizes maltose efficiently alongside glucose, making high-maltose syrups and purified maltose powder the preferred fermentation substrate for craft brewers, commercial breweries, and functional fermented beverage producers seeking precise sugar control in their fermentation medium. Purified maltose is also used in the production of Chinese-style maltose confections (malt candy), rice wine (sake and mirin precursors), and Southeast Asian fermented food products where malt sugar provides both fermentation substrate and characteristic flavor development. WIS Biotech’s food-grade maltose powder is suitable for brewing and fermentation applications across all these segments.
Confectionery and Candy Manufacturing
In confectionery, maltose is used as a primary or co-sweetener in hard candies, toffee, nougat, and traditional malt confections. Its lower hygroscopicity compared to glucose (dextrose) and its crystallization behavior make it valuable in candy systems where moisture pickup and sugar bloom are quality concerns. Maltose’s Maillard browning reactivity — producing characteristic amber colors and caramel-malt flavor notes — is deliberately exploited in toffee and caramel manufacture. In Chinese and East Asian confectionery traditions, high-purity maltose syrup and powder are the foundational ingredient in numerous traditional candy formats. WIS Biotech supplies food-grade maltose to confectionery manufacturers and ingredient distributors across Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa.
Bakery and Maillard Browning Applications
Maltose is a reducing sugar and participates actively in the Maillard reaction — the non-enzymatic browning process responsible for the golden color and characteristic flavors of baked bread crusts, roasted coffee, and toasted grain products. In commercial bakery, maltose or high-maltose corn syrup is added to bread doughs, pretzel coatings, and pastry glazes to promote controlled Maillard browning at baking temperatures. It also serves as a fermentable sugar for yeast-leavened products, providing a sequential energy source for yeast activity alongside sucrose and glucose. WIS Biotech’s food-grade maltose powder is used by commercial bakeries and bakery ingredient formulators seeking consistent browning performance and fermentation activity in high-output production environments.
Sports Nutrition, Infant Formula, and Functional Foods
Maltose is a rapidly digestible carbohydrate with a moderate glycemic index — faster-acting than sucrose but less rapid than pure glucose — making it suitable as an energy carbohydrate in sports nutrition products, oral rehydration solutions, and infant formula. In infant formula and follow-on formulas, maltose-based carbohydrate sources are often used as partial or primary carbohydrate components due to their digestibility profile and clean flavor. In sports nutrition, maltose-containing carbohydrate blends provide a sustained energy release curve in endurance sports products. WIS Biotech’s food-grade maltose meets the purity requirements for use across these regulated food and nutrition applications, with food-grade CoA documentation provided for every batch.
Product Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| CAS Number | 69-79-4 |
| Molecular Formula | C12H22O11 |
| Molecular Weight | 342.30 g/mol |
| Assay (maltose content, dry basis) | 95.0% min |
| Appearance | White to off-white crystalline powder |
| Sweetness Relative to Sucrose | ~30–35% |
| Solubility | Freely soluble in water |
| pH (10% solution) | 4.5 – 6.5 |
| Moisture Content | 5.0% max |
| Heavy Metals (as Pb) | 20 ppm max |
| Arsenic (As) | 1 ppm max |
| Lead (Pb) | 1 ppm max |
| Reducing Sugars (as maltose) | Reports on CoA |
| Available Grade | Food Grade (FCC) |
Packaging & Supply
Maltose powder is available in 25 kg net multi-layer kraft paper bags with inner PE liner, or 500 kg / 1,000 kg FIBCs (ton bags). Nitrogen-flush packaging available on request. Storage: below 30°C, dry and well-ventilated, away from direct sunlight and moisture.
MOQ: 500 kg. Standard 20-foot FCL at 10–18 MT. Terms: FOB Qingdao (standard); CIF, CFR, DDP available for established accounts. Lead time: 7–14 business days from order confirmation. Samples (1–5 kg) dispatched by DHL/FedEx within 3–5 business days.
Quality & Compliance
WIS Biotech’s maltose production is covered under the following active certification programs:
- ISO 9001:2015 – Quality Management System covering procurement, in-process control, and final QC release
- FSSC 22000 – Food Safety System Certification (GFSI-recognized); governs food-grade production lines
- Halal – IFANCA – Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America; valid for export to Muslim-majority markets globally
- Kosher – OU – Orthodox Union; required for US specialty retail and export to Israel
- FAMI-QS – Feed Additive and Premixture Quality System (feed-grade lines only)
WIS Biotech does not produce pharmaceutical-grade (USP/BP/EP) material. Products are intended for food, feed, and industrial use. Every shipment includes CoA, SDS, and origin documentation. Health Certificates, Fumigation Certificates, and ASEAN Form E available on request.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between maltose, glucose (dextrose), and sucrose for fermentation?
Sucrose is a non-reducing disaccharide hydrolyzed to glucose and fructose by yeast invertase before fermentation. Glucose is directly consumed by yeast as the primary fermentation substrate. Maltose is a reducing disaccharide metabolized by yeast maltase after glucose is depleted — making it a secondary fermentation substrate that extends fermentation activity after initial glucose consumption. In brewing, yeast preference for glucose over maltose creates distinct fermentation kinetics that brewers control through pitching rate and temperature to achieve target attenuation and flavor profiles.
Is WIS Biotech’s maltose suitable for infant formula applications?
Yes. Our food-grade maltose is manufactured to GB 1886 series food-grade purity standards with heavy metal and microbiological testing performed on every production batch. It meets the purity requirements for use as a carbohydrate source in infant formula and follow-on formula under relevant international regulations. Batch documentation supporting infant formula ingredient qualification is available on request.
What is the glycemic index of maltose compared to other sugars?
Maltose has a relatively high glycemic index (GI ~105, similar to glucose), meaning it is rapidly digested and absorbed. This makes it suitable for sports nutrition applications requiring rapid carbohydrate availability, but less appropriate for low-GI or diabetic-targeted products. For sports endurance applications, maltose is often blended with slower-digesting carbohydrates to achieve a multi-phase energy release profile.
What is the MOQ and lead time for maltose?
MOQ is 500 kg. Standard FCL orders at 10–16 MT per 20-foot container. In-stock orders ship within 7–14 business days FOB Qingdao. Sample quantities (1–5 kg) for laboratory qualification are dispatched by international courier within 3–5 business days. Blanket orders with scheduled call-offs available for established accounts with continuous production supply needs.
Is WIS Biotech’s maltose Halal and Kosher certified?
Yes. Both IFANCA Halal and OU Kosher certificates cover maltose produced at our Shandong facility. Current valid certificates are available on our Downloads page and are renewed annually. For country-specific Halal requirements (MUI for Indonesia, JAKIM for Malaysia), please contact our sales team.
Can maltose powder be used in Chinese traditional confectionery production?
Yes. High-purity maltose powder is the traditional base ingredient in a wide range of Chinese confections including malt candy (麦芽糖糖果), sesame candy, and rice-based traditional sweets. WIS Biotech’s food-grade maltose powder meets the purity standards for both traditional and modern confectionery applications, and is available in large quantities for commercial confectionery manufacturers. We regularly supply confectionery ingredient distributors across China, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East.
Related Resources
- Sourcing Gluconate from China: A Buyer’s Checklist
- Feed-Grade Gluconate & FAMI-QS: What European Buyers Need to Know
For industrial concrete admixture chemicals including sodium gluconate and PCE superplasticizer raw materials, visit our group company Definly Chemicals.
Related Products
Customers sourcing maltose from WIS Biotech also frequently request Glucono Delta-Lactone (GDL) and Gluconic Acid for complementary food processing applications.
About WIS Biotech
WIS Biotech is a dedicated gluconate ingredient manufacturer founded in 2015, headquartered in Shandong Province, China. Our 10,000 m² production facility delivers a combined annual output of 60,000 MT across eight mineral gluconate and specialty ingredient products. With a 90% export ratio and active customer relationships in over 80 countries, WIS Biotech is one of China’s leading direct-manufacturer gluconate suppliers. We are part of a group that includes Definly Chemicals, our export trading and construction chemicals affiliate. Learn more about our group structure.