Erythrose

Erythrose is a tetrose saccharide with the chemical formula C4H8O4.

The natural isomer is D-erythrose; it is a diastereomer of D-threose.

[3] Erythrose was first isolated in 1849 from rhubarb by the French pharmacist Louis Feux Joseph Garot (1798-1869),[4] and was named as such because of its red hue in the presence of alkali metals (ἐρυθρός, "red").

[5][6] Erythrose 4-phosphate is an intermediate in the pentose phosphate pathway[7] and the Calvin cycle.

Oxidative bacteria can be made to use erythrose as its sole energy source.

NFPA 704 four-colored diamond Health 1: Exposure would cause irritation but only minor residual injury. E.g. turpentine Flammability 1: Must be pre-heated before ignition can occur. Flash point over 93 °C (200 °F). E.g. canola oil Instability 0: Normally stable, even under fire exposure conditions, and is not reactive with water. E.g. liquid nitrogen Special hazards (white): no code
Fischer projections depicting the two enantiomers of erythrose