aldopentose

noun

al·​do·​pen·​tose ˌal-dō-ˈpen-ˌtōs 

-ˌtōz

plural aldopentoses

chemistry

: a pentose with an aldehyde functional group attached to the first carbon atom : a pentose (such as ribose or arabinose) of an aldehyde nature

It is a naturally occurring monosaccharide with a carbonyl group located at the end of its 5-carbon chain, making it an aldehyde derivative, or an aldopentose.

—Paula Frank, Prepared Foods, 1 June 2006

Word History

Etymology

aldo- + pentose

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined above

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