Fucitol: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 11:33, 15 February 2025

Fucitol[edit]

Fucitol, also known as L-fucitol, is a sugar alcohol derived from fucose. It is a polyol, which means it is a type of carbohydrate that has multiple hydroxyl groups. Fucitol is commonly found in certain types of seaweed and is used in various biochemical applications.

Structure and Properties[edit]

Fucitol has the chemical formula C_H__O_. It is a hexitol, meaning it contains six carbon atoms, and it is an alcohol due to the presence of hydroxyl (OH) groups. The structure of fucitol is similar to that of other sugar alcohols, such as sorbitol and mannitol, but it is derived specifically from the sugar fucose.

Biological Role[edit]

Fucitol is not as widely studied as other sugar alcohols, but it plays a role in the metabolism of certain organisms. It is involved in the biosynthesis of complex carbohydrates and glycoproteins. In some bacteria, fucitol can be used as a carbon source.

Applications[edit]

In the field of biochemistry, fucitol is used as a standard for chromatography and other analytical techniques. It is also used in the synthesis of various glycoconjugates and as a precursor in the production of other biochemical compounds.

Related Compounds[edit]

Fucitol is related to other sugar alcohols such as:

These compounds share similar properties and are often used in similar applications, such as in food and pharmaceutical industries.

Related Pages[edit]

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-'''Fucitol''', also known as '''L-Fucitol''' or '''6-Deoxy-L-galactitol''', is a type of [[sugar alcohol]] that is derived from [[fucoidan]], a complex [[polysaccharide]] found in many species of [[brown algae]] and [[brown seaweed]]. It is a white, crystalline solid that is soluble in water and has a sweet taste.
+== Fucitol ==
-==Chemical Structure and Properties==
+[[File:L-Fucitol_chemical_structure.png|thumb|right|Chemical structure of L-Fucitol]]
-Fucitol is a [[monosaccharide]] derivative, specifically a deoxy sugar. Its chemical formula is C6H14O5. It is a member of the class of compounds known as sugar alcohols, which are polyols that contain an alcohol (-OH) group attached to each carbon atom. Fucitol is a chiral compound, meaning it has a non-superimposable mirror image. The L- designation refers to the configuration of the chiral center farthest from the carbonyl group, in accordance with the [[Cahn-Ingold-Prelog priority rules]].
-==Biosynthesis and Metabolism==
+'''Fucitol''', also known as '''L-fucitol''', is a sugar alcohol derived from [[fucose]]. It is a polyol, which means it is a type of carbohydrate that has multiple hydroxyl groups. Fucitol is commonly found in certain types of [[seaweed]] and is used in various biochemical applications.
-Fucitol is biosynthesized from fucose through the action of the enzyme [[fucose mutarotase]]. This enzyme catalyzes the conversion of alpha-L-fucose to beta-L-fucose, which is then reduced to fucitol by the enzyme [[aldose reductase]]. Fucitol can be further metabolized by the body through oxidation to fucose, which can then be incorporated into glycoproteins and glycolipids.
-==Biological Role and Potential Health Benefits==
+== Structure and Properties ==
-Fucitol has been found to have several potential health benefits. It has been shown to have [[antioxidant]] properties, which may help to protect cells from damage by free radicals. It also has [[anti-inflammatory]] properties, which may help to reduce inflammation in the body. Some studies have suggested that fucitol may have [[anticancer]] properties, although more research is needed in this area.
+Fucitol has the chemical formula C_H__O_. It is a hexitol, meaning it contains six carbon atoms, and it is an alcohol due to the presence of hydroxyl (OH) groups. The structure of fucitol is similar to that of other sugar alcohols, such as [[sorbitol]] and [[mannitol]], but it is derived specifically from the sugar fucose.
+== Biological Role ==
+Fucitol is not as widely studied as other sugar alcohols, but it plays a role in the metabolism of certain organisms. It is involved in the [[biosynthesis]] of complex carbohydrates and glycoproteins. In some [[bacteria]], fucitol can be used as a carbon source.
+== Applications ==
+In the field of [[biochemistry]], fucitol is used as a standard for [[chromatography]] and other analytical techniques. It is also used in the synthesis of various [[glycoconjugates]] and as a precursor in the production of other biochemical compounds.
+== Related Compounds ==
+Fucitol is related to other sugar alcohols such as:
+* [[Sorbitol]]
+* [[Mannitol]]
+* [[Xylitol]]
+These compounds share similar properties and are often used in similar applications, such as in [[food]] and [[pharmaceutical]] industries.
+== Related Pages ==
-==See Also==
 * [[Fucose]]
 * [[Sugar alcohol]]
-* [[Brown algae]]
+* [[Carbohydrate metabolism]]
-* [[Polysaccharide]]
-==References==
-<references />
-{{pharmacology-stub}}
-[[Category:Monosaccharides]]
 [[Category:Sugar alcohols]]
-[[Category:Pharmacology]]
+[[Category:Carbohydrates]]