D-Ribose (Ribose) is a metabolite, monosaccharide, a biomolecule and the unique sugar component of nucleotides (ready-to-use chemical energy storage) and can increase the availability of Adenosine triphosphate as an energy supplier.

It is  the main component of the genetic material, ribonucleic acid (RNA), in the human body, of a very large number of biomolecules such as RNA, DNA and ATP.

Industrially, D-ribose (mixture of isomers) is used, which is produced through the technology of fermenting raw materials: maize, glucose and mineral salts. The catalytic product D-ribose is transformed into the refined product through extraction and purification. 

It takes the form of a white crystalline powder that is soluble in water and slightly soluble in ethanol.  

What it is used for and where

Medical

D-ribose is a molecule present in all cells that forms the starting point for the synthesis of nucleotides and ATP. It plays an important role in skeletal and cardiac muscle metabolism and can accelerate the recovery of hypoxic and ischaemic tissues and locales. It can increase energy, burn fat, promote alertness and relieve fatigue.

The intake of ribose is used to provide energy for healthy individuals engaged in intense physical activity, but caution is suggested due to the possible negative effects of this sugar.

Used in energy foods, sports supplements, functional foods, dietary supplements, etc. 

Cosmetics

It can promote the metabolism of skin cells to alleviate and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, increase skin elasticity and tone the skin's appearance.

Skin conditioning agent -  Humectant. Humectants are hygroscopic substances used to minimise water loss in the skin and to prevent it from drying out by facilitating faster and greater absorption of water into the stratum corneum of the epidermis. The epidermis is the most superficial of the three layers that make up the human skin (epidermis, dermis and hypodermis) and is the layer that maintains hydration in all three layers. In turn, the epidermis is composed of five layers: corneum, the most superficial, lucidum, granulosum, spinosum and basale. Humectants have the ability to retain in the stratum corneum the water they attract from the air and have the function of moisturising the skin. It is better to use them before emollients that are oil-based.

D-Ribose studies

Typical commercial product characteristics D-Ribose

• Molecular Weight  C₅H₁₀O₅
• Molecular Weight   150.13
• Exact Mass      150.052826
• CAS  700-481-3   50-69-1 (D-Ribose)
• UNII    681HV46001
• EC Number   700-481-3   200-059-4  (D-Ribose)
• DSSTox Substance ID  DTXSID70450356
• IUPAC  (3R,4R,5R)-oxane-2,3,4,5-tetrol
• InChI=1S/C5H10O5/c6-2-1-10-5(9)4(8)3(2)7/h2-9H,1H2/t2-,3-,4-,5?/m1/s1  
• InChl Key     SRBFZHDQGSBBOR-SOOFDHNKSA-N 
• SMILES   C1C(C(C(C(O1)O)O)O)O
• MDL number  MFCD00135453
• PubChem Substance ID    329751042
• ChEBI  47006  
• RTECS   VJ2275000
• NACRES NA.24
• Beilstein    1723081
• FEMA 3793

Synonyms:

• D-(-)-Ribose, d-ribos, Ribose,D-(-), D-RIB

  (2R,3R,4R)-2,3,4,5-Tetrahydroxypentanal, D-Ribose, Ribose, R-RIBOSE, D-(−)-Ribose,