xylose

Xylose

A pentose sugar, referred to in the early literature as l -xylose. It is present in many woody materials. The polysaccharide xylan, which is closely associated with cellulose, consists practically entirely of d- xylose. Corncobs, cottonseed hulls, pecan shells, and straw contain considerable amounts of this sugar. This pentose sugar is also a component of the hemicelluloses and the rare disaccharide, primeverose. See Carbohydrate

McGraw-Hill Concise Encyclopedia of Bioscience. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

xylose

[′zī‚lōs]

(biochemistry)

C₅H₁₀O₅ A pentose sugar found in many woody materials; combustible, white crystals with a sweet taste; soluble in water and alcohol; melts about 148°C; used as a nonnutritive sweetener and in dyeing and tanning. Also known as wood sugar.

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.