Xylose
| Formula / Notation | C₅H₁₀O₅ |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | D-xylose anomer, xylopyranose, pentose sugar |
What is Xylose?
A wood sugar, an aldopentose monosaccharide, obtained by hydrolysis of xylan (a polysaccharide found in plant cell walls). Xylose is a building block of hemicellulose in wood and straw. It is used in food technology, in medicine as a diagnostic agent, and in producing xylitol.
Formula & Notation
Other Names / Synonyms: D-xylose anomer, xylopyranose, pentose sugar
Properties & Characteristics
Uses & Applications
Safety Information
Always consult the SDS/MSDS before handling any chemical. This information is for educational purposes only.
Key Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
A wood sugar, an aldopentose monosaccharide, obtained by hydrolysis of xylan (a polysaccharide found in plant cell walls). Xylose is a building block of hemicellulose in wood and straw. It is used in food technology, in medicine as a diagnostic agent, and in producing xylitol.
Xylose from agricultural residues is a key feedstock in biorefineries for producing fuels and chemicals by fermentation. Xylose isomerase converts xylose to xylulose in metabolic pathways. Xylooligosaccharides derived from xylose are studied as prebiotics for gut health.
Xylose in food-grade applications has an excellent safety profile. Industrial hydrolysis processes producing xylose use dilute acids or enzymes that require standard chemical safety practices.
The formula or notation for Xylose is: C₅H₁₀O₅