alphaDglucoside

alphaDglucoside is a specific isomer of glucose. Glucose is a simple sugar, a monosaccharide, with the molecular formula C6H12O6. The designation "alphaD" refers to the stereochemistry at the anomeric carbon. In glucose, there are two common anomeric forms, alpha and beta, which differ in the orientation of the hydroxyl group at the anomeric carbon (carbon 1). The "D" designation indicates the configuration of the chiral center furthest from the carbonyl group, which is the standard orientation for naturally occurring glucose. Therefore, alphaDglucoside specifically describes glucose in its alpha anomeric configuration.

This alpha configuration is significant as it determines how glucose molecules link together in larger carbohydrates. For instance, alphaDglucoside linkages are found in alpha-amylase digestible polysaccharides like starch and glycogen. In contrast, betaDglucoside linkages are characteristic of cellulose, which is indigestible by most animals. The chemical properties and biological roles of molecules containing alphaDglucoside units are thus distinct from those containing betaDglucoside units. It is a fundamental building block in many biologically important molecules.