Allose

From WikiMD's Food, Medicine & Wellness Encyclopedia

Allose is a type of monosaccharide or simple sugar, specifically a hexose. It is one of the rare sugars found in nature. Allose is an aldose, meaning it contains an aldehyde group.

Structure and Properties[edit | edit source]

Allose is a six-carbon sugar with the chemical formula C6H12O6. It is a structural isomer of glucose, meaning it has the same molecular formula but a different structural arrangement. The structure of allose can exist in both a straight-chain form and a cyclic form. The cyclic form is more stable and is the form predominantly found in nature.

File:Allose structure.png
Structure of Allose

The straight-chain form of allose contains an aldehyde group at one end, making it an aldose. The cyclic form of allose is a six-membered ring, known as a pyranose, which is the most common form for hexoses.

Biological Role[edit | edit source]

Allose is not a common sugar in nature. It has been found in small amounts in some microorganisms and plants. It is not known to play a significant role in human metabolism. However, it has been studied for potential therapeutic uses, such as in the treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases.

Synthesis[edit | edit source]

Allose can be synthesized in the laboratory from other sugars, such as glucose, through a series of chemical reactions. The synthesis of allose is not straightforward and requires specialized knowledge and equipment.

See Also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]


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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD