Xylitol

Description:
Xylitol is a sugar alcohol that has been shown to have antimicrobial properties. It is also used as a sweetener in chewing gum and toothpaste. Xylitol inhibits the growth of bacteria by binding to the enzyme adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthase, which is required for energy metabolism. The binding of xylitol to ATP synthase prevents the formation of ATP and blocks bacterial growth, leading to cell death. Xylitol can be produced from xylose, a sugar found in plants and animals, through biochemical reactions that are catalyzed by enzymes such as xylitol dehydrogenase and xylulokinase. This process is anaerobic and does not require oxygen or organic nutrients. Xylitol has been shown to have physiological effects on wild-type strain bacteria such as Aerobacter aerogenes.