Arsenoribofuranosides are organoarsenicals containing a pentose moiety as part of their molecular structure (see figure), which explains why they are commonly referred to arsenosugars.

 

Arsenosugars are major arsenic compounds in algae but are reported to be present in significant concentrations in other marine organisms such as bivalves. This class of compounds has been raising growing concern since recent reports indicating the possibility of metabolizing arsenosugars to the carcinogenic dimethylarsinic acid (DMAA) by the human body.