(2R,4S)-Pentane-1,2,3,4,5-pentol
Xylitol used to denote sugar alcohols) is a sugar alcohol sweetener used as a sugar substitute. Xylitol has the formula (CHOH)3(CH2OH)2 and is an achiral isomer of pentane-1,2,3,4,5-pentol. Xylitol is roughly as sweet as sucrose with 33% fewer calories. Unlike other sweeteners, xylitol is actively beneficial for dental health, reducing caries to a third in regular use, and has been shown to reduce the incidence of ear infections.
Xylitol is found in the fibers of many fruits and vegetables, and can be extracted from various berries, oats, and mushrooms, as well as fibrous material such as corn husksand sugar cane bagasse,and birch.[5] However, industrial production starts from xylan (a hemicellulose) extracted from hardwoods or corncobs, which is hydrolyzed into xylose and catalytically hydrogenated into xylitol.
L-XYLOSE
Patent No. U.S. 6,894,199
Process for the production of xylitol The present invention relates to the production of xylitol. In particular, processes utilising L-xylose as an intermediate for xylitol production are described. The present invention also relates to process for the preparation or L-xylose, as an intermediate, by-product or end-product to be used per se.
Scheme 3
Advantages–The process allows the production of the important sweetener from synthetic reagents
Xylitol crystals
XYLITOL 3D STR
DIMER
DOI: 10.1039/B900890J
http://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2009/jm/b900890j/unauth
MORE ABOUT XYLITOLXylitol is a five-carbon sugar alcohol that is used as a sugar substitute. Xylitol is a naturally occurring sweetener found in the fibers of many fruits and vegetables, including various berries, corn husks, oats, and mushrooms. It can be extracted from corn fiber, birch, raspberries, plums, and corn. Xylitol is roughly as sweet as sucrose but contains 40% less calories.
Xylitol was first derived from Birch trees in Finland in the 19th century and was first popularized in Europe as a safe sweetener for diabetics that would not impact insulin levels. In the late 20th century, xylitol in granular form began to be mass produced in the United States under the brand name “Ultimate Sweetener” using beet plants in California. Today, using corn sources, most world supplies reportedly come primarily from China
One teaspoon of xylitol contains 9.6 calories, as compared to one teaspoon of sugar, which has 15 calories. Xylitol also contains zero net effective carbohydrates, whereas sugar contains 4 grams per teaspoon. Unlike Stevia, xylitol has virtually no aftertaste, and is advertised as “safe for diabetics and individuals with hypoglycemia”. This is because carbohydrates like sugar alcohol have less impact on a person’s blood sugar than regular sugars. Virtually all chewing gum sold in Europe is sweetened with xylitol. Xylitol is a “toothfriendly” sugar substitute. In addition to not encouraging tooth decay (by replacing dietary sugars), xylitol may actively aid in repairing minor cavities caused by dental caries. Recent research confirms a plaque-reducing effect and suggests that the compound, having some chemical properties similar to sucrose, attracts and then “starves” harmful micro-organisms, allowing the mouth to remineralize damaged teeth with less interruption.
Formal Chemical Name (IUPAC)
(2R,3r,4S)-pentane-1,2,3,4,5-pentol
|
|
