xylitol

American  

[zahy-li-tawl, -tol] / ˈzaɪ lɪˌtɔl, -ˌtɒl /

noun

Biochemistry.

1. a naturally occurring pentose sugar alcohol, C 5 H 12 O 5 , used as a sugar substitute.

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xylitol British  

/ ˈzaɪlɪˌtɒl /

noun

1. chem an artificial sweetener produced from xylose and used esp in chewing gum. Formula: CH 2 HOH(CHOH) 3 CH 2 OH

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xylitol Scientific  

/ zī′lĭ-tôl′,-tōl′ /

1. A sweet white crystalline alcohol derived from xylose and used as a sugar substitute. Chemical formula: C ₅ H ₁₂ O ₅ .

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Etymology

Origin of xylitol

< German Xylit (1891), equivalent to Xyl ( ose ) xylose + -it -ite ¹; -itol

Example Sentences

A: Xylitol is a sugar substitute that is frequently found in dry mouth products and sugarless gum.

From Seattle Times

Biotene contains both sorbitol and xylitol.

From Seattle Times

However, isolated polyols — including erythritol, sorbitol, mannitol and xylitol — are used as sugar-free, low-calorie sweeteners in many food products.

From Seattle Times

Ingesting even the smallest amount of xylitol can cause a pet's liver to rapidly release insulin, causing hypoglycemia – unusually low blood glucose levels.

From Salon

Emergency treatment for a pet with xylitol toxicity involves giving the animal IV fluids containing dextrose to raise its blood glucose level and carefully monitoring its progress.

From Salon