Products
Xylose is available in specialty stores. The name is derived from the Greek name for wood (xylon).
Structure and properties
The D-xylose (C5H10O5, Mr = 150.1 g/mol) exists as a white crystalline powder or colorless needles and is readily soluble in water. It is a monosaccharide (a carbohydrate) and an aldopentose, that is, a C5 sugar and an aldehyde. Xylose is the monomer that makes up the polysaccharide xylan. Xylan is a hemicellulose, which is one of the most important biopolymers on earth. It is mainly found in plant cell walls. Xylanases are enzymes that break down xylan to xylose. They are used for bread production. Free xylose is found in some berries, for example, raspberries.
Effects
At about 67%, xylose has a lower sweetening power than table sugar (sucrose).
Fields of application
In pharmacy and medicine:
- The sweetener xylitol is produced from the xylose (“birch sugar”).
- As a sweetener (rare).
- For a xylose load test in the diagnosis of malabsorption.
- The enzyme xylose isomerase is taken for the treatment of fructose malabsorption.
Technical applications:
- For the production of sustainable fuels such as bioethanol and hydrogen.
