Hydration properties of xylitol: computer simulation

We present a molecular dynamics simulation of xylitol in SPC/E water using classical Gibbs ensemble molecular dynamics simulation. The simulation is done both with and without periodic charge update, and no qualitative difference in the results obtained by both methods is found. The analysis of the radial and angular distribution functions, the water-water hydrogen bond distributions, and water residence times allow the conclusion that there is a relatively strong hydration of xylitol. This polyol adopts a single linear conformation and, from the point of view of the hydration dynamics, it should be classified as positively hydrated. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.