D-Ribose is an aldopentose monosaccharide. It is phosphorylated into D-ribose 5-phosphate by ribokinase and then supports the synthesis of tryptophan and histidine. Additionally, D-ribose 5-phosphate is part of the pentose phosphate pathway. D-Ribose may be used as a cell culture media supplement.

2-Acetamido-2-deoxy-3-O-(a-D-galactopyranosyl)-D-galactopyranose is an amino disaccharide metabolite used in carbohydrate chemistry. It is a deoxy sugar derivate, rendered from a deoxyribose molecule. This sugar qualifies as a member of the acetamide group due to the organic compound, acetamide, contained within it. It is also a glycosyl compound, a sugar group which has a glycosidic binding to another group through its anomeric carbon. 2-Acetamido-2-deoxy-3-O-(a-D-galactopyranosyl)-D-galactopyranose can be used as a chiral reagent.

L-Fucose is a six-carbon deoxy monosaccharide that is equivalent to 6-deoxy-L-galactose. L-Fucose is found on many N- and O-linked glycans present on the cell surface of a wide variety of organisms. The most well-known fucosylated glycans are the ABO blood group antigens. L-fucose present in gastrointestinal mucous represses virulence factor-encoding genes expressed by enterohemorrhagic E. coli. Mutations in the gene that encodes alpha-L-fucosidase can cause fucosidosis, leading to a buildup of fucose-containing compounds which cause cellular malfunction.

Xylose is a sugar originally isolated from wood. Xylose is classified as a monosaccharide of the aldopentose type, which means that it contains five carbon atoms and includes a formyl functional group.

N-acetylneuraminic acid is an N-acyl derivative of neuraminic or acid amino sugar derivative, derived from N-acetylmannosamine and pyruvic acid. It is an important constituent of glycoproteins and glycolipids. N-acetylneuraminic acid occurs in many polysaccharides, glycoproteins, and glycolipids in animals and bacteria.

Xylitol is a sugar alcohol typically used as a sweetener. In humans it is typically seen to cause remineralization of teeth along with the reduction in cavities. It also is absorbed less than typical sucrose and carries a lower calorie content. Xylitol inhibits the growth of Streptococcus pneumonia and attachment of Haemophilus influenza on nasopharyngeal cells.