CRYSTAL OF L-PSICOSE, METHOD FOR PRODUCING THE SAME, AND SACCHARIDE REAGENT KIT

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a crystal of L-psicose, to establish a method for mass-producing the crystal, and to provide a use of the crystal of the L-psicose (reagent kit containing the same). SOLUTION: The crystal of the L-psicose is provided. The crystal of the L-psicose has angles of diffraction (2θ) of 15.2°, 18.8°, and 19.5° as main angles in powder X-ray diffractometry. The crystal of the L-psicose is provided by forming the crystal of the L-psicose out of a high concentration saccharide solution containing the L-psicose, and then collecting the crystal. Water or a mixed liquid of the water and ethanol is used as a solvent of the saccharide solution of which the crystal is formed out. A saccharide solution which is obtained by production processes including a step for acting acetic bacteria on allitol and converting the allitol into the L-psicose is used as the saccharide solution containing the L-psicose. The method for producing the crystal of the L-psicose comprises forming a large amount of the crystal of the L-psicose out of the saccharide solution containing the crystal of the L-psicose and the L-psicose, and then collecting the crystal. A rare saccharide reagent kit contains at least the crystal of the L-psicose as a reagent. COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI