2Dehydro3deoxyDgluconic

2dehydro-3-deoxy-D-arabino-hexosonic acid, often abbreviated as DDHA, is a monosaccharide derivative. It is characterized by the presence of a double bond between the second and third carbon atoms and the absence of a hydroxyl group at the third carbon atom of a six-carbon sugar backbone. The "arabino" designation refers to the specific configuration of the hydroxyl groups on the remaining chiral centers, indicating a D-sugar.

DDHA is a component of certain bacterial polysaccharides, notably in the cell wall of *Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans*, a bacterium associated with periodontal disease. In these bacterial structures, DDHA contributes to the structural integrity and immune response modulation. Its presence can be detected through various analytical techniques, including chromatography and mass spectrometry.

While not a common sugar found in the human diet or metabolism, DDHA's biological significance lies primarily in its role within microbial systems. Research into DDHA and similar deoxygenated sugars is ongoing, exploring their potential as targets for antimicrobial therapies or as biomarkers in certain infectious diseases. The specific chemical properties arising from the deoxygenation and unsaturation make it distinct from more common hexoses like glucose or galactose.