Galactoza

Am să încerc o mică rememorare folosind AI și alte surse internet a unor carbohidrați care sub formă liberă sunt dușmanii omului dar în stare naturală sunt prietenii noștri. Pare o contradicție dar realitatea bate filmul!

Am plecat în analiza mea de la cărțile unor specialiști pe care le-am făcut cunoscute grupului meu:

https://www.facebook.com/share/g/18R4gVLtjN/

Formula structurală a galactozei

Galactoza este un monosaharid cu formula chimică C₆H₁₂O₆. Există în două forme izomerice principale: D-galactoză și L-galactoză. D-galactoza este cea mai comună formă găsită în natură.

Structura liniară a D-galactozei:

Structura ciclică a D-galactozei:

În soluție apoasă, galactoza există în principal sub formă ciclică, formând un inel de șase membri (piranoză).

Diferența dintre galactoză și glucoză:

Galactoza este un epimer al glucozei, ceea ce înseamnă că diferă doar prin configurația unui singur atom de carbon. În cazul galactozei, configurația diferă la nivelul carbonului 4.

Utilizări ale galactozei:

 * Componenta lactozei: Galactoza este o componentă a lactozei, zahărul din lapte.

 * Metabolism: Este metabolizată în ficat pentru a produce energie.

 * Glicolipide și glicoproteine: Este o componentă a glicolipidelor și glicoproteinelor, molecule importante pentru funcțiile celulare.

Note:

 * Imaginile structurilor pot varia în funcție de sursă și reprezentare.

 * Există și alte forme ciclice ale galactozei, cum ar fi furanoza.

 * Galactozemia este o boală metabolică genetică caracterizată prin incapacitatea de a metaboliza galactoza.

Galactose is a monosaccharide sugar whose chemical or molecular formula is C6H12O6. This is a six-carbon sugar, which is an odourless white solid that has a sweet flavour. It is a reducing sugar and has a molar mass of 180.156 g/mol. It is water-soluble and slightly soluble in ethanol. A disaccharide called lactose is formed when galactose (a monosaccharide) combines with glucose (a monosaccharide) through the condensation reaction. Galactose is similar to glucose in its structure but differs only in the position of the hydroxyl group at carbon-4. This is about as sweet as glucose and about 65% as sweet as sucrose. Galactose is an aldohexose and a C-4 epimer of glucose. It is sometimes abbreviated as “Gal” and also referred to as brain sugar.

Galactose is one of mammals’ three most significant blood sugars, along with glucose and fructose. The main dietary source of galactose is lactose, which is found in milk and dairy products. Galactose is a simple sugar that can be found in dairy products, avocados, sugar beets, other gums, and mucilage. It is a nutrient that provides energy and is also a necessary basic substrate for the production of numerous macromolecules in the body. It is also synthesized by the body from glucose. It can bind to lipids to form glycolipids and proteins to form glycoproteins. It is good for the immune and digestive systems.

Structure of Galactose

Galactose is a monosaccharide sugar whose chemical or molecular formula is C6H12O6. It exists in two types of structural forms: open-chain and cyclic.

Structure of Galactose

The two enantiomers of galactose are Dextrogalactose (D-galactose) and Levogalactose (L-galactose), which are mirror images of each other. The below figure represents open-chain forms of the enantiomers of galactose, where we can notice a carbonyl at the end of the chain.

Enantiomers of Galactose

Properties of Galactose

Chemical formula C6H12O6

IUPAC Name (3R,4S,5R,6R)-6-(hydroxymethyl) oxane-2,3,4,5-tetrol

Molar mass 180.156 g/mol

Appearance White solid

Odour Odourless

Density 1.5 g/cm3

Melting point 168 °C to 170 °C

Solubility

Soluble in water

Slightly soluble in ethanol

Hydrogen Bond Donor Count 5

Hydrogen Bond Acceptor Count 6

Rotatable Bond Count 1

Uses of Galactose

Galactose is a simple sugar that is essential for the body’s metabolism and the delivery of energy.

It is crucial during the early stages of human development.

Galactose is beneficial for the digestive system, as it maintains healthy levels of intestinal bacteria. This improves food digestion and also strengthens the body’s resistance to infections. 

It is used in clinical trials to study the treatment and diagnosis of Hepatitis C, Hepatic Cancer, Wilson’s Disease, Diabetic Macular Oedema, and Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis, among others. 

It is also largely employed as a pathway to generate glucose fuel for the human body. 

It is also used as a component in some commonly used vaccines and non-prescription products.

Health Hazards

An excessive intake of galactose can lead to tooth decay.

When it is used in high dosages, it may cause mild laxative effects.

Some people may even have adverse effects like rashes, itching, severe dizziness, and breathing difficulties.