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Home > Science > What is the Difference Between Mannitol and Laminarin?

Guilherme Mazui

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What is the Difference Between Mannitol and Laminarin?

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Mannitol and laminarin are both reserve foods of brown algae and are complex carbohydrates used as energy sources. They have some differences and similarities:

  • Chemical Structure: Mannitol is a sugar alcohol form of mannose, while laminarin is a linear polysaccharide of mannitol containing β-1,3-linked glucose.
  • Production: Mannitol is produced through the reduction of mannose, whereas laminarin is produced from photosynthesis.

Similarities:

  • Reserve Carbohydrates: Both mannitol and laminarin are reserve carbohydrates found in brown algae.
  • Extraction: Both can be extracted from brown algae.
  • Industrial Usefulness: They are both industrially very useful.
  • Food Storage: Both mannitol and laminarin are complex carbohydrates stored as food in brown algae.
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  • What is the Difference Between Mannitol and Laminarin?
  • Comparative Table: Mannitol vs Laminarin

    • Comparative Table: Mannitol vs Laminarin

    Here is a table comparing the differences between mannitol and laminarin:

    Feature Mannitol Laminarin
    Form Sugar alcohol form of mannose Linear polysaccharide of mannitol containing β-1,3-linked glucose
    Production Produced through the reduction of mannose Produced through photosynthesis
    Structure Not a polysaccharide Polysaccharide
    Storage Reserve food of brown algae Reserve food of brown algae
    Uses Industrially useful Industrially useful

    Both mannitol and laminarin are reserve carbohydrates found in brown algae and serve as food reserves. They are complex carbohydrates stored as food and have industrial applications.

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    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.