Fucitol

Fucitol

Chemical structure of L-Fucitol

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

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

• Fucose
• Sugar alcohol
• Carbohydrate metabolism