What does xylose mean?
Xylose is a five-carbon monosaccharide, or pentose, whose name reflects its original association with wood. It occurs widely in plant cell-wall material, especially as a structural component of xylan and related hemicelluloses, and can be recovered from woody biomass for use in chemical and food industries. In carbohydrate chemistry, the best-known form is D-xylose, the form present in most plant polysaccharides. Unlike glucose, xylose is not digested by the human digestive system, so xylose reaching the colon may instead be fermented by intestinal microorganisms. Xylose also has an important industrial role: microorganisms can ferment it into fuels and chemical intermediates, while the enzyme xylose isomerase is used in processes that convert it into other sugars. In ordinary writing, “xylose” is chiefly a scientific or specialized term rather than a household word, and it should not be confused with xylene, a chemically unrelated hydrocarbon.
nounA monosaccharide sugar with five carbon atoms, known as an aldopentose. It occurs as a structural component in plant polysaccharides such as xylan and is also produced commercially from plant biomass.
- A five-carbon monosaccharide occurring in plant material, especially as a component of xylan, and used in biochemical and industrial processes.
"Researchers used microorganisms to ferment xylose into ethanol and other useful fuels."
"The microorganism was adapted to use xylose efficiently during fermentation."
"Chemists analyzed the xylose released when the plant cell wall was broken down."
A rare formal plural used when individual molecules, forms, or examples are being discussed; ordinary usage normally treats the word as a mass noun.
"The paper compared the configurations and reactions of several xyloses."
Xylose is the sugar hiding in woody plants: a five-carbon building block that the human digestive system cannot break down on its own.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does xylose come from?
Xylose was formed in the 19th century from the Greek xylon, meaning “wood,” and the carbohydrate suffix -ose. The reference to wood reflects the sugar's occurrence in plant polysaccharides. Its relatives include xylan, xylem, and xylophone, all built on the same Greek element associated with wood.
How xylose is actually used
A specialized biochemical and industrial noun, usually treated as a mass noun. The formal plural “xyloses” is possible when discussing individual molecules or distinct forms.
Easily confused with xylose
Xylose is a five-carbon sugar, whereas xylene is a volatile aromatic hydrocarbon used as a solvent and chemical feedstock.