Pentose phosphate path is an alternative path for complete oxidation of glucose. In this process hexose sugar is oxidized through the involvement of a five carbon-containing sugar, hence it is called a pentose phosphate path.
Racker and coworkers (1954) studied details of pentose phosphate path. The reactions of PPP take place in the presence of oxygen. This process is completed in the cytoplasm of the cell. The main steps of PPP are as follows:
- Phosphorylation of glucose.
- Oxidation of glucose 6-phosphate.
- Oxidative decarboxylation of phosphoglucose acid and formation of ribulose-5 phosphate.
- A complete break down of ribulose – 5 phosphates through several reactions.
