**Introduction to 13C6-Glucose** 13C6-glucose is a stable isotope-labeled form of glucose in which all six carbon atoms are replaced with the non-radioactive carbon-13 (13C) isotope. This tracer molecule is widely used in metabolic research, clinical diagnostics, and pharmaceutical studies to track glucose metabolism pathways in cells, tissues, or whole organisms. By incorporating 13C6-glucose into biological systems, researchers can analyze metabolic fluxes using techniques such as mass spectrometry (MS) or nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Its applications include studying insulin resistance, cancer metabolism, and neurodegenerative diseases. With high purity and minimal interference, 13C6-glucose provides precise insights into dynamic biochemical processes, making it an essential tool in biomedical and biochemical research.
Preparation Process: The preparation of **13C6-glucose** involves the following steps: 1. **Biosynthesis**: Cultivate algae or plants (e.g., *Chlorella*, *Lemna*) in a closed system with **13CO2** as the sole carbon source, ensuring uniform **13C** incorporation. 2. **Extraction**: Harvest biomass, lyophilize, and extract soluble carbohydrates using hot ethanol or water. 3. **Purification**: Isolate glucose via ion-exchange chromatography, followed by crystallization or HPLC to obtain high-purity **13C6-glucose**. 4. **Chemical Synthesis (Alternative)**: Chemically synthesize from **13C-labeled precursors** (e.g., **13C-formaldehyde** via formose reaction), though biosynthetic routes are more efficient. 5. **Validation**: Confirm **13C** enrichment (>99%) and purity via NMR or mass spectrometry. (Word count: 100)
Usage Scenarios: 13C6-glucose, a stable isotope-labeled form of glucose, is widely used in metabolic research and tracer studies. By incorporating six carbon-13 atoms, it enables precise tracking of glucose metabolism in cells, tissues, or whole organisms using techniques like mass spectrometry (MS) or nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Researchers employ it to study glycolysis, the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, gluconeogenesis, and other metabolic pathways. It aids in quantifying flux rates, identifying metabolic disorders, and investigating cancer metabolism. Additionally, 13C6-glucose is used in clinical diagnostics, drug development, and nutritional studies to assess glucose utilization and insulin resistance without radioactive hazards. Its non-radioactive nature ensures safe handling in experiments.