Apiose

/ˈæpiəˌoʊs/ noun

Definition

A rare five-carbon sugar (pentose) found naturally in plants of the Apiaceae family, particularly parsley.

Etymology

From apio (celery/parsley) combined with the chemical suffix -ose (indicating a sugar), literally 'sugar from parsley.'

Kelly Says

Apiose is so uncommon in nature that finding it in a plant is a chemical signature of the Apiaceae family—it's like nature's barcode for identifying celery relatives.

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