Galactitol (dulcitol) is a sugar alcohol, the reduction product of galactose.[1] It has a slightly sweet taste.[1] In people with galactokinase deficiency, a form of galactosemia, excess dulcitol forms in the lens of the eye leading to cataracts.[2]
Names | |
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IUPAC name
D-Galactitol | |
Systematic IUPAC name
(2R,3S,4R,5S)-hexane-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexol | |
Other names
Dulcitol | |
Identifiers | |
3D model (JSmol) |
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ChEBI | |
ChEMBL | |
ChemSpider | |
ECHA InfoCard | 100.009.242 |
PubChem CID |
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UNII | |
CompTox Dashboard (EPA) |
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Properties | |
C6H14O6 | |
Molar mass | 182.172 g/mol |
-112.40·10−6 cm3/mol | |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Galactitol is produced from galactose in a reaction catalyzed by aldose reductase.
The other common galactose metabolism defect is a defect in galactose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferase, an autosomal recessive disorder, which also causes a buildup of galactitol as a result of increased concentrations of galactose-1-phosphate and galactose. This disorder leads to cataracts caused by galactitol buildup.
References
External links
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