It is a well characterized and easily detected member of this large class of compounds.

Because it is well characterized, it is often studied to provide new insight into the biochemistry of AGE compounds in general.

Derived from ribose, a pentose, pentosidine forms fluorescent cross-links between the arginine and lysine residues in collagen.

[1] Although it is present only in trace concentrations among tissue proteins, it is useful for assessing cumulative damage to proteins—advanced glycation endproducts—by non-enzymatic browning reactions with carbohydrates.

[2][3][4] In vivo, AGEs form pentosidine through sugar fragmentation.