mannose

[man-ohs]

noun

Chemistry.

1. a hexose, C 6 H 1 2 O 6 , obtained from the hydrolysis of the ivory nut and yielding mannitol upon reduction.

mannose

/ -nəʊz, ˈmænəʊs /

noun

1. a hexose sugar found in mannitol and many polysaccharides. Formula: C 6 H 12 O 6

mannose

1. A naturally occurring simple sugar that is a stereoisomer of glucose. Chemical formula: C ₆ H ₁₂ O ₆ .

Word History and Origins

Origin of mannose¹

First recorded in 1885–90; mann(a) + -ose ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of mannose¹

C20: from _manna + _-ose ²

Example Sentences

“Mannose is hardly used because it’s too expensive and hard to get. But if we produce it from a residue, which is abundant and has no value, that changes the picture,” she says.

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Silva’s research developed ways to break down mannan into mannose, a valuable sugar with potential applications in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and food industries.

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Silva’s group has obtained a patent from the Brazilian government to convert mannan into mannose and to make it into a prebiotic called mannan oligosaccharide.

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"This is early research but it is hoped that finding this perfect balance means that, in the future, mannose could be given to cancer patients to enhance chemotherapy without damaging their overall health," he said.

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One advantage of mannose is that it is cheaper than drugs produced by pharmaceutical companies.

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