Chemistry Formulas

Galactose Formula

Galactose is also known as brain sugar. It is a monosaccharide sugar that is about as sweet as glucose, and about 65% as sweet as sucrose. It is a C-4 epimer of glucose. In 1855, E. O. Erdmann did hydrolysis of lactose that resulted in galactose(unknown at that time). Galactose exists in both open-chain and cyclic forms. We find it in dairy products, avocados, sugar beets, other gums. Galactose has a higher melting point than glucose as a result of the structural differences. Let us study more in-depth about the galactose formula below.

Galactose Formula

What is Galactose?

Galactose is a simple sugar belonging to simple carbohydrates which occurs in D-form in lactose. It is an odorless white solid. Galactose is a monosaccharide and epimer of glucose. Its density is 1.5 g/cm3. Its boiling point is between 168–170 °C (334–338 °F). Galactose is a monosaccharide. When combined with glucose (monosaccharide), through a condensation reaction, the result is the disaccharide lactose.

Chemical Formula of Galactose:

The chemical formula of Galactose is C_{6}H_{12}O_{6}. Its molar mass is 180.156 g·mol−1.

Galactose comprises of two sugars, galactose, and glucose. It is a  disaccharide. Galactose was first remoted and studied by Louis Pasteur in 1856 and he gave the name “lactose”. In 1860, Berthelot renamed it “galactose” or “glucose lactique”. In 1894, Emil Fischer and Robert Morrell determined the configuration of galactose. Galactose exists in both open-chain and cyclic forms. The open-chain form has a carbonyl at the end of the chain.

Four isomers are cyclic, two of them with a pyranose (six-membered) ring, two with a furanose (five-membered) ring. Galactofuranose occurs in bacteria, fungi, and protozoa. In the cyclic form, there are two anomers; alpha and beta. In the beta form, the alcohol group is in the equatorial position, whereas in the alpha form, the alcohol group is in the axial position.

The major dietary source of galactose is Lactose. The main dietary source lactose is found in milk and yogurt, which is digested to galactose and glucose. Foods high in galactose include milk-based puddings, sweetened yogurt, cherries, honey, celery, kiwifruit, hamburgers (with condiments), plums, low-fat mozzarella, and avocados.

Applications:

Galactose is a form of sugar which is very crucial for metabolism and energy delivery in the body. It is particularly important in early human development. Scientists use galactose for studying certain diseases. It helps to study the treatment and diagnosis of Hepatitis C, Hepatic Cancer, Wilsons Disease, Diabetic Macular Oedema, and Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis, among others. It is also in use as a pathway to generate glucose fuel for the human body. Galactose is an ingredient in some common vaccines and non-prescription products.

Solved examples:

Q.1. Is galactose a reducing sugar?

Ans- Yes galactose is a reducing sugar. Actually all types of monosaccharides are reducing sugars because they have an aldehyde group (if they are aldoses) or can tautomerize in solution to form an aldehyde group (if they are ketoses). Examples of common monosaccharides are galactose, glucose, glyceraldehyde, fructose, ribose, and xylose.

Q.2.What happens to galactose after absorption?

Ans- The liver galactose and fructose are removed from the blood and then converted into other metabolites. When we consume it in moderate quantities, liver takes up most fructose. It is then converted into glucose, glycogen, and lactate. Some portions may also be oxidized or converted into fatty acids and uric acid.

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