D-Mannose

Single-ingredient D-mannose reference formula with 2,000 mg per serving, developed as a powder, with a capsule option.

D-Mannose is a reference formula for brands building a single-ingredient simple sugar product at a default amount of 2,000 mg of D-mannose per serving. D-mannose is the only active, so the development work centers on a sweet, freely soluble monosaccharide, the capsule count needed for a gram-level dose, and the flavor system of a powder.

Powder is the lead format because 2,000 mg dissolves readily in water, with a capsule version at 500 mg per capsule for brands that sell a counted-unit product. The reference labels range from 350 mg to 2,000 mg per serving across powders and capsules, so the amount is a brand decision set around the default.

Ingredient Composition

Ingredient	Per Serving	Raw Material Form	Alternative Form (same amount of active)
D-Mannose	2000 mg (default amount)	D-mannose, crystalline powder; specification 2,000 mg per serving, assay, particle size and moisture set with the supplier	A granulated or agglomerated grade with better flow, which has the same labeled amount

Amounts are stated as mg of D-mannose as the free sugar. It is not a salt or hydrate, so no conversion applies, and the assay and the limit for other sugars are part of the specification.

Intended Benefits & Formula Rationale

This formula is designed for products positioned around urinary tract nutrition. D-mannose is included as the single active so that the amount, the sweetness and the excipient system can be set without interaction with other actives.

Intended Benefit Direction	Key Ingredients	Formulation Rationale
Tolerability research	D-Mannose	A systematic review and meta-analysis of five studies with 1,038 women concluded that D-mannose appears well tolerated, with only mild and infrequent side effects [1]. Evidence: Referenced
Recurrent infection research	D-Mannose	The same review found a non-significant reduction in recurrent urinary tract infections (risk ratio 0.37, 95% CI 0.11–1.30), and a meta-analysis of 6 randomized trials with 1,167 participants found that D-mannose was not associated with a reduction in recurrent infections compared with control (risk ratio 0.57, 95% CI 0.29–1.15) [1][2]. Evidence: Contested

The research in [1] and [2] covers different populations, controls and amounts, so amount, claims and target market for a finished product are brand decisions reviewed for each sales market.

Available Formats

The D-mannose reference formula is built for a powder version and a capsule version; counts per serving are design choices that the brand can adjust.

Format	Unit	Per Serving	Pack Size	Other Ingredients (typical)	Suitability
Powder	1 stick pack	2000 mg	30 stick packs or a 200 g tub	Flow agent, optional flavor	Lead format; dissolves in water
Capsule	3 capsules	1500 mg (500 mg per capsule)	90 or 180 capsules	Flow agent, vegetable capsule shell	Counted-unit format; a gram-level dose takes several capsules

Raw Material Input & Fill (Design Estimate)

Design estimates. The input is the labeled D-mannose weight at an assumed 100% assay of the powder as purchased, so each unit uses the D-mannose weight shown below; the real input follows the certificate of analysis.

Format	Raw Material Input per Unit	Design Fill	Balance for Excipients	Verification Before Scale-Up
Powder	2000 mg D-mannose	2200 mg per stick	200 mg	Flow, fill weight variation, moisture pickup, dissolution
Capsule	500 mg D-mannose	540 mg per capsule	40 mg	Powder density, fill weight variation, flow

Tablet, gummy and liquid versions are separate projects, because a gram-level sugar dose needs a large tablet, and sugar-based gummies and liquids need their own carbohydrate and preservation work.

Formulation Considerations

Gram-level dose in capsules. A 1,500 mg capsule serving takes three capsules at 500 mg, and 2,000 mg takes four. The capsule count is the main limit of the capsule format, which is why powder leads.
Sweet, soluble sugar. D-mannose tastes sweet and dissolves freely, so a plain powder needs little flavor, and the sweetness is counted when the brand writes the carbohydrate and sugar lines of the label.
Moisture and caking. A fine crystalline sugar picks up moisture and cakes in humid storage. Packaging with a barrier film, a desiccant and a flow agent are set early.
Evidence and tier. The reviews in [1] and [2] found no supportive effect on recurrent infection and point to small, varied trials. Each sales market’s dose limit and label wording are checked before development begins.

Customization Options

Brands adjust the D-mannose amount, the format and the add-ons.

Parameter	Range	Note
D-mannose per serving	500, 900, 1500 or 2000 mg	Examples for the brand; stick size or capsule count changes with the amount
Format	Powder or capsule	Tablet, gummy and liquid are separate projects
Pack size	30 to 180 units	Set by the brand
Add-ons	Cranberry extract, vitamin C	Cranberry extract adds a dark, tart dry powder, and vitamin C adds acidity to the drink

The pilot run confirms flow and fill weight, moisture pickup in the powder, and the D-mannose assay of the first units against the specification.

Flavor Options

Format	Suggested Flavors	Why
Powder	Unflavored, raspberry, lemon	A neutral base mixes into drinks, and berry or citrus profiles add freshness to a sweet powder

Technical Status & Data Sources

Item	Status	Details
Reference formula	NIH DSLD	The ingredient and amount come from a labeled product in the NIH DSLD (2000 mg on the label of CF009474; example DSLD labels 72344, 72382, 231536). The label names the ingredient as D-mannose; a crystalline powder is set as the form.
Specification	Set in formulation	D-mannose, 2,000 mg per serving; assay, other-sugar limits, moisture, heavy-metal limits and method are fixed with the supplier. Unit size, fill weight and stability are set in formulation.
Data source	NIH DSLD	DSLD v9.4.0, downloaded 2026-01-10: 50,824 reference formulas merged from on-market labels with complete ingredient amounts. Counts show how labels are distributed.
Market review	Per market	Dose limits, labeling and claims are reviewed for each sales market before a finished product is developed.
References	Sources	[1] Al-Hajjaj A, Al-Maatoq A, Al-Asadi A. Efficacy of D-mannose monotherapy vs. other agents in preventing recurrent urinary tract infections in women: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Urol Res Pract. 2026;51(6):208-216. DOI · PubMed<br>[2] Vargas CEF, Mutarelli A, Menegardo LG, et al. Efficacy of D-mannose as prophylaxis of recurrent urinary tract infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Bras Nefrol. 2025;47(4):e20250169. DOI · PubMed