Biochem/physiol Actions
Estimation of D-Xylose in the urine after oral administration, is useful in diagnosing absorption of carbohydrates and malabsorption of non-pancreatic molecules. D-Xylose plays a significant role in the biologically conversion of plant biomass to fuels and chemicals.
Synthesis
In a process for the production of D-xylose from a ligno-cellulosic material comprising an xylan-containing hemicellulose by the steps of:
(1) hydrolysing the ligno-cellulosic material with an aqueous acid to produce an aqueous xylose-containing medium and an insoluble residue comprising lignin;
(2) separating the insoluble residue from the xylose-containing medium;
(3) treating the xylose-containing medium to remove organic and/or ionic contaminants therefrom;
(4) concentrating the xylose-containing medium to a syrup; and
(5) mixing the syrup with an alcohol to form an alcoholic solution and crystallizing xylose from the alcoholic solution.
