D-Xylose, commonly called wood sugar, is a natural 5-carbon sugar (pentose) obtained from the xylan-rich portion of hardwoods such as birch trees.
D-Xylose is used to improve flavors and can also help to produce a visually appealing browning in savoury applications. Compared to other reducing sugars commonly in use, D-Xylose requires considerably less reaction time to bring about the desired flavour.
DuPont™ Danisco® D-Xylose is a pure crystalline powder available in a number of high purity grades and flavors. It is used in meats, prepared food, pharmaceuticals, pet food, and animal feed.
Key Benefits
Clean Label
D-Xylose is a naturally occurring pentose sugar found at low levels in a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. It is classified as a normal food (or feed) ingredient and not a food additive.
Better Nutrition
The ingested portion of D-Xylose is only partially absorbed in the intestine and therefore has a much lower impact on blood glucose and serum insulin levels than glucose or sucrose. This makes it an important ingredient for diabetic food products.
Plant-Based
Danisco® D-Xylose is naturally sourced from wood.
The production of wood-based xylose is unique to Nutrition & Biosciences and uses byproducts from pulp and paper plants as feedstock. On average, it emits five times less greenhouse gas than conventional corncob-based products and supports at least three of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Regulatory
Since the 1950s, D-Xylose has been used in food applications worldwide for its Maillard-reaction flavor and color, and as a sweetener in diabetic foods. The use of D-Xylose in savory flavour systems is Generally Recognised As Safe (GRAS) by the Flavour and Extract Manufacturers Association (FEMA).
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