What is "erythrose"

n. (context carbohydrate English) the aldotetrose ''(2R,3R)-2,3,4-trihydroxybutanal''

Erythrose is a tetrose carbohydrate with the chemical formula CHO. It has one aldehyde group, and so is part of the aldose family. The natural isomer is D-erythrose.

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

Erythrose' is an anti-cancer agent. In vitro, ~4mM erythrose effectively kills cancer cells for tested cell lines in vitro, such as: lung, brain,breast,and colorectal cancers, etc.

D-Erythrose inhibits tumor growth in vivo.

Erythrose is a 2/3 of Glucose. Diabetes can have blood sugar (mainly glucose)up to 30mM for days. The concentration of erythrose to kill cancer is much lower than glucose in our body. What Erythrose can do for cancer patients needs further study.

Erythrose, as glucose, can be oxidized to carbon dioxide and water.

Erythrose 4-phosphate is an intermediate in the pentose phosphate pathway and the Calvin cycle.

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