sorbitol

A common sugar alcohol found especially in certain algae and in the fruits of many higher plants, e.g. mountain ash (Sorbus aucuparia). It is formed by the reduction of D-glucose or L-sorbose. In some plants, e.g. crab apple (Malus sylvestris), sorbitol, rather than sucrose, is the main form in which sugar is translocated in the phloem.