NDPsugar

NDPsugar is a term used in theoretical discussions of carbohydrate chemistry to denote a class of non-digestible sugar analogues designed to mimic the bulk and sweetness of sucrose while resisting enzymatic breakdown in the human digestive system. In this hypothetical framework, NDPsugar molecules retain a pyranose or furanose ring and a disaccharide-like backbone but carry chemical substitutions—such as bulky groups or non-hydrolyzable linkages—that block digestion by human amylases and sucrase–isomaltase.

Potential research applications include studying gut microbiota responses to persistent sugars, evaluating fermentation products, and serving as controls in sweetness and texture studies in food science without providing caloric energy. Synthesis in the hypothetical literature would involve protective-group strategies and selective glycosidic bond formation, with emphasis on ensuring resistance to hydrolysis while preserving solubility and perceived sweetness.

Status and usage: NDPsugar remains a conceptual construct rather than a standardized chemical name; no approved products or regulatory guidelines exist. References to NDPsugar are typically found in theoretical reviews, pedagogical materials, or speculative discussions rather than in established chemical databases.

See also: non-digestible carbohydrate, sugar analog, prebiotic research.