PRODUCTION Of NUTRIENT SOURCES FOR RHIZOBIUM

Table 5. (continued).
Sugar alcohols Structure Description
Arabitol
( D -Arabitol,
Arabinitol)
Galactitol
(Dulcitol, Dulcite)
Sorbitol
(D-Sorbitol,
D-Glucitol)
OH OH H
HOH 2C- C - C - C-CH 2OH
H H OH
H OH H H
HO 2C- C -C - C - C- CH 2OH
OH H OH OH
H H OH H
HOH 2C- C- C- C- C-CH 2OH
OH OH H OH
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Arabitol is not often found in nature, but is
present in some lichens and mushrooms.
Fistulina hepatica is reported to contain 9.5%
on a dry basis. Arabitol can also be obtained
by the reduction of either D-arabinose or Dxylose.
Its crystals melt at 102°C and the
specific rotation in borax solution is + 7.8°.
L-Arabitol does not occur in nature, but has
been synthesized.
Galactitol is rather widely distributed in
plants, and occurs in high concentration in
the manna of Melanpyrum nemorosum. It
may also be synthesized by the reduction of
galactose. Its crystals melt at 188-189°C.
Sorbitol is widely distributed in plant,
particularly in fruits, e.g. apples, cherries,
peaches, berries, etc. It may be synthesized
by the reduction of D-glucose. The crystals
melt at 90°C. The L-form is known, but does
not occur naturally.