Applications and Uses of D-Xylose

D-Xylose is a sugar widely used as diabetic sweetener in food and beverage. is a sugar first isolated from wood, and named for it. Xylose is classified as a monosaccharide of the aldopentose type, which means that it contains five carbon atoms and includes a formyl functional group. It is derived from hemicellulose, one of the main constituents of biomass. Like most sugars, it can adopt several structures depending on conditions. With its free carbonyl group, it is a reducing sugar.

1.Food Production

D-Xylose is widely used as sweetener, nutrition supplements in food production. As diabetic sweetener, nutrition supplements and auxiliary therapeutic agents: in diabetic food to improve nutrition value and sweetness. As sweetener: in Low-sugar foods and condiment to enhance flavor.

2.in Beverage

D-Xylose is widely used as sweetener in beverage. As sweetener: in low-sugar drink to enhance flavor.

3.Pharmaceutical

D-Xylose is widely used as intermediate in Pharmaceutical. As intermediate: in medicine manufacturing .

3.1Animal medicine

In animal medicine, xylose is used to test for malabsorption by administration in water to the patient after fasting. If xylose is detected in blood and/or urine within the next few hours, it has been absorbed by the intestines.High xylose intake on the order of approximately 100g/kg of animal body weight is relatively well tolerated in pigs, and in a similar manner to results from human studies, a portion of the xylose intake is passed out in urine undigested.

3.2Hydrogen production

In 2014 a low-temperature 50 °C (122 °F), atmospheric-pressure enzyme-driven process to convert xylose into hydrogen with nearly 100% of the theoretical yield was announced. The process employs 13 enzymes, including a novel polyphosphate xylulokinase (XK).

4.Cosmetics

D-Xylose is widely used as humectant in Cosmetics. As humectant: in cleanser, beauty creams and lotions to maintain the moisture.

5.Chemicals

The acid-catalysed degradation of hemicellulose gives furfural, a specialty solvent in industry and a precursor to synthetic polymers.

6.Human consumption

Xylose is metabolised by humans, though it is not a major human nutrient and largely excreted by the kidneys. Humans must obtain xylose from their diet. An oxido-reductase pathway is present in eukaryotic microorganisms. Humans have an enzyme called xylosyltransferase, which transfers xylose from UDP to a serine in the core protein of proteoglycans. Xylose contains 2.4 calories per gram.

7.Derivatives

Reduction of xylose by catalytic hydrogenation produces the anti-cariogenic sugar substitute xylitol.

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