Arabinose

• 
  DL-Arabinose
• 
  Alpha-D-Arabinofuranose
• 
  Beta-D-Arabinofuranose
• 
  Alpha-D-Arabinopyranose
• 
  Beta-D-Arabinopyranose

Arabinose

Arabinose is a monosaccharide sugar that is found in nature, primarily in the form of a pentose sugar. It is a five-carbon sugar with the chemical formula C_H__O_. Arabinose is commonly found in plants, particularly in the form of polysaccharides such as hemicellulose and pectin.

Structure

Arabinose exists in two stereoisomeric forms: D-arabinose and L-arabinose. The L-form is more common in nature. The structure of arabinose is similar to that of other pentoses, with a chain of five carbon atoms, each bonded to hydroxyl groups and hydrogen atoms. The configuration of the hydroxyl groups determines the specific isomer.

Biological Role

In nature, arabinose is a component of various biopolymers. It is a constituent of hemicellulose, which is a major component of the cell walls of plants. Arabinose is also found in pectin, a polysaccharide that is important in the structure of plant cell walls and is used in the food industry as a gelling agent.

Metabolism

Arabinose can be metabolized by certain bacteria and yeasts. In bacteria, the L-arabinose operon is a well-studied system that allows the organism to utilize arabinose as a source of carbon. The operon includes genes that encode enzymes necessary for the conversion of arabinose into intermediates that enter central metabolic pathways.

Industrial Applications

Arabinose is used in various industrial applications. It is utilized in the production of biofuels and as a precursor for the synthesis of other chemicals. In the food industry, arabinose is sometimes used as a low-calorie sweetener.

Related Pages

• Monosaccharide
• Pentose
• Hemicellulose
• Pectin
• L-arabinose operon