Density functional computational studies on the intermediate stage of the ribose and glycine Maillard reaction: Formation of deoxyosones in aqueous solution

Mechanisms in an aqueous solution of the Maillard reaction are proposed under several pH conditions for the interaction of glycine with cyclic ribose (c-Rib) and open-chain ribose (Rib). According to the Gibbs free energy relationships as well as internal energies values derived from our density functional theory calculations, the c-Rib/Rib + DGly (glycine) are the most favourable reaction pathways for the formation of deoxyosones under basic conditions, where Rib is more reactive than c-Rib. The intermediate stage of the Maillard reaction leads to the formation of deoxyosones.