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.
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.
Galactose Formula
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.