ALLIED Health The sugar alcohol erythritol is often included in low-calorie sweeteners. It is 70% as sweet as table sugar. Erythritol is the reduced form of the aldotetrose erythrose. Draw erythritol.
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d-Erythrose

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the structure of d-erythrose, which is an aldotetrose with the chemical formula C4H8O4. It has four carbon atoms, with an aldehyde group (CHO) at one end and hydroxyl groups (OH) on the other carbons.
2. Recognize that erythritol is the reduced form of erythrose. Reduction of an aldehyde group in a sugar converts it to an alcohol group, resulting in a sugar alcohol.
3. Draw the backbone of the erythritol molecule, which consists of four carbon atoms in a straight chain.
4. Add hydroxyl groups (OH) to each of the four carbon atoms in the chain, as erythritol is a polyol (sugar alcohol) with one hydroxyl group attached to each carbon atom.
5. Ensure that the stereochemistry of the hydroxyl groups matches that of d-erythrose, maintaining the same configuration at each chiral center.

Key Concepts

Erythritol Structure

Erythritol is a sugar alcohol derived from the reduction of erythrose, an aldotetrose. Its chemical structure consists of four carbon atoms, with a hydroxyl group (-OH) attached to each carbon, making it a polyol. This structure contributes to its sweetness and low-caloric properties, as it is metabolized differently than regular sugars.

Sweetness Comparison

Erythritol is approximately 70% as sweet as sucrose (table sugar), which makes it a popular choice in low-calorie and sugar-free products. This relative sweetness allows it to be used in various food applications while providing fewer calories, as it is not fully absorbed by the body, leading to minimal impact on blood sugar levels.

Sugar Alcohols

Sugar alcohols, like erythritol, are a class of carbohydrates that have a chemical structure similar to both sugars and alcohols. They are commonly used as sweeteners and have lower caloric content compared to traditional sugars. Sugar alcohols can provide sweetness without significantly raising blood glucose levels, making them suitable for diabetic diets.