The Collaborative Dictionary

Xylose \Xy"lose\, n. [Pref. xylo- + -ose.] (Chem.) An unfermentable sugar of the pentose class, C5H10O5, formed by the hydrolysis of xylan; wood sugar. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

Word Net

xylose n : a sugar extracted from wood or straw; used in foods for diabetics [syn: wood sugar]

English

Noun

xylose

1. a white crystalline substance, a sugar, derived from wood
2. One of the pentoses, C5H10O5

Translations

• Slovak: xylóza

Xylose or wood sugar is an aldopentose — a monosaccharide containing five carbon atoms and including an aldehyde functional group. It has chemical formula 5105. Xylose is found in the embryos of most edible plants.

In animal medicine, xylose is used to test for malabsorption by administering to the patient in water after fasting. If xylose is detected in blood and/or urine within the next few hours, it has been absorbed by the intestines. After Xylose has been catalytically hydrogenated, it turns into a natural sugar substitute called Xylitol. This new sugar, along with Xylose itself, is a reducing sugar.

See also

• Xylose metabolism
• Arabinose
• Deoxyribose
• Lyxose
• Ribose
• Ribulose
• Xylulose

References