Britannica Sources used in this answer

Where is xylose found in plants?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Xylose is a five-carbon monosaccharide found in most plants primarily as a constituent of hemicellulose, specifically in the form of a polysaccharide called xylan.12

In its natural state, xylose is commonly sourced from various plant materials, including:

  • Corncobs2
  • Seed hulls (such as cottonseed hulls)2
  • Straw2

Xylose is obtained from these plant sources through the chemical breakdown (hydrolysis) of xylan.32