L-(-)-フコース

化学的特性White crystalline powder, soluble in methanol, ethanol, DMSO and other organic solvents.

化学的特性l-fucose is a six-carbon sugar also known as 6-deoxy-l-galactose. Its molecular formula is C6H12O5 and its melting point is 150.0–153.0 °C. It is a white crystalline powder that easily absorbs moisture, and its hydrophilicity is weaker than that of other monosaccharides. l-fucose is the main form of fucose found in nature and is also the only levorotatory sugar used by mammals, while d-fucose is found only in some glycosides[1].

解説フコース，6-deoxygalactose．C6H12O5(164.16)．デオキシ糖の一種．L-フコースは多糖類(海草細胞壁，血液型多糖類など)や人乳のオリゴ糖類などの構成成分である．水中での組成は，α-ピラノース28％，β-ピラノース67％，フラノース5％，直鎖アルデヒド0.01％ となる．L-フコースは海藻、ウニやカエルの卵に多糖類として存在。また、生体内における種々の糖タンパク質や糖脂質の糖鎖の、主として非還元末端基として広く生物界に分布している。糖タンパク質の糖鎖部分は免疫学的、血清学的に重要な役割を果たしている。遊離のL-フコースはコンブの多糖フコイジンを原料として精製される。無水アルコールから結晶化するとα型が得られる。融点は140℃。比旋光度[α] －124.1（10分）→－108.0°（20分）→－91.5°（36分）→－75.6°（最終値24時間、c＝9）。

天然物の起源L-Fucose exists in nature in various biological niches. A major natural source of L-fucose is the brown algal polysaccharide fucoidan. It is also present in the polysaccharides of tragacanth, potatoes, kiwi, soybeans, varieties of wing peas, canola and other plants.L-Fucose is a minor component in plant cell wall polysaccharides, specifically rhamnogalacturonan, xyloglucan and also arabinogalactan proteins that are involved in plant cell elongation.

使用L-Fucose was isolated from seaweed. It finds application in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and dietary supplements. It is used in the determination of antigen in A and B blood group. It is also used in the selection-mediated leukocyte-endothelial adhesion and host-microbe interactions. L-Fucose is also used in anti aging creams as well as to promote the accelerated healing of wounds and to reduce allergy.