Chemistry:Melezitose

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Melezitose
Melezitose.png
Names
IUPAC name
α-D-Glucopyranosyl α-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)-β-D-fructofuranoside
Systematic IUPAC name
(2R,2′R,3R,3′R,4S,4′S,5S,5′S,6R,6′R)-2,2′-{[(2S,3S,4R,5R)-4-Hydroxy-2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)oxolane-2,3-diyl]bis(oxy)}bis[6-(hydroxymethyl)oxane-3,4,5-triol]
Other names
Melicitose
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChEBI
ChEMBL
ChemSpider
UNII
Properties
C18H32O16
Molar mass 504.438 g·mol−1
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Melezitose, also spelled melicitose, is a nonreducing trisaccharide sugar that is produced by many plant sap eating insects, including aphids such as Cinara pilicornis, by an enzyme reaction. This is beneficial to the insects, as it reduces the stress of osmosis by reducing their own water potential. The melezitose is part of the honeydew which acts as an attractant for ants and also as a food for bees.[1] This is useful to the aphids as they have a symbiotic relationship with ants. Melezitose can be partially hydrolyzed to glucose and turanose the latter of which is an isomer of sucrose.

Honeycomb filled with melezitose

References

  1. Fischer, M. K; Shingleton, A. W (2001). "Host plant and ants influence the honeydew sugar composition of aphids". Functional Ecology 15 (4): 544. doi:10.1046/j.0269-8463.2001.00550.x.