Galactose sources

Synonyms /f-o-Galactopyranose pentaacetate /f-D-Galactose Source Raveendran, R Wallen, S. L. 

D (+) Galactose is a constituent of numerous polysaccharides It is best obtained by acid hydrolysis of lactose (milk sugar) a disaccharide of d glucose and d galactose L (—) Galactose also occurs naturally and can be prepared by hydrolysis of flaxseed gum and agar The principal source of d (+) mannose is hydrolysis of the polysaccharide of the ivory nut a large nut like seed obtained from a South American palm... 

Biosyntheses of hexuronic acids and L-ascorbic acid in plants and animals are closely related. Hexuronic acids, L-ascorbic acid, and L-tartaric acid (a possible precursor of dihydroxyfumaric acid) commonly occur together in plants. If a rat is given chloretone (an antispasmodic), both L-ascorbic acid and D-glucuronic acid are excreted in increased quantity.244 Unlike humans, rats can synthesize their own vitamin C, and are therefore independent of outside sources. Here, D-glucose and D-galactose can be utilized, but not D-mannose. 

DF dietary fiber Cel cellulose Rha rhamnose Fuc fucose Ara arabinose Xyl xylose Man mannose Gal galactose Glu glucose U. ac. uronic acids KL Klason lignin n.d. not determined t traces Source Englyst and Cummings 1988 Englyst and others 1988 Marlett and Vollendorf 1994. 

It seems established that galactose-l-phosphate is an enzyme poison, blocking the cell s most important source of energy. The failure to thrive characteristic of galactosemia is thus explained the less severely affected infants were possibly exposed to lower concentrations of galactose-l-phosphate, either because of their diet or because of some peculiarity of constitution. 

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