Xylose

Xylose or wood sugar is an aldopentose &mdash; a monosaccharide containing five carbon atoms and including an aldehyde functional group. It has chemical formula 5105. Xylose is found in the embryos of most edible plants.

In animal medicine, xylose is used to test for malabsorption by administering to the patient in water after fasting. If xylose is detected in blood and/or urine within the next few hours, it has been absorbed by the intestines.