rhamnosyl

Rhamnosyl refers to a chemical group derived from rhamnose, a deoxy sugar. Rhamnose itself is a 6-deoxyhexose, meaning it has six carbon atoms and a methyl group in place of a hydroxyl group at the C6 position. The rhamnosyl moiety is the unit that results from the attachment of rhamnose to another molecule, typically through a glycosidic bond.

This saccharide unit is commonly found in nature, particularly in plant-derived compounds. It is a frequent component of various glycosides, which are molecules where a sugar is bound to a non-sugar part called an aglycone. These rhamnosyl glycosides play diverse biological roles in plants, including acting as pigments in flowers, contributing to the taste of fruits, and serving as defense compounds against herbivores and pathogens.

Examples of natural products containing rhamnosyl units include flavonoids like quercetin and rutin, where rhamnose is attached to the flavonoid aglycone. It is also found in some saponins and other secondary metabolites. The presence of the rhamnosyl group can influence the solubility, stability, and biological activity of the parent compound. In agricultural and food industries, rhamnosyl-containing compounds can be significant for their color, flavor, or potential health benefits.