What does levulose mean?
Levulose, also known as fructose, is a type of simple sugar found naturally in many fruits and vegetables. It is a monosaccharide, meaning it consists of a single sugar molecule. Levulose is commonly used as a sweetener in foods and beverages, and it is also an important component of many biological processes. The term levulose is often used in scientific or technical contexts to refer specifically to fructose, and it is a useful word for anyone studying chemistry, nutrition, or biology. Understanding levulose and its properties can provide insight into the composition of foods and the biological processes that occur in living organisms.
nounLevulose is a type of sugar, specifically a monosaccharide also known as fructose.
- A type of sugar
- A monosaccharide
"The sweetener was composed mainly of levulose and dextrose."
"The sweetener was composed mainly of levulose and dextrose."
"Levulose is a simple sugar found in many fruits and vegetables."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of levulose
The term levulose comes from the Latin word 'levus,' meaning 'left,' and the suffix '-ulose,' which is used to form names of sugars. This refers to the sugar's levorotatory properties, meaning it rotates plane-polarized light to the left. Levulose was first isolated from fruits and identified as a distinct type of sugar in the 19th century.
Usage notes
Levulose is often used in scientific or technical contexts to refer specifically to fructose.