Carbohydrate

Introduction

• Consisting of oxygen (O), carbon (C), and hydrogen (H), carbohydrate is a biological molecule.
• Carbohydrate is one of the essential elements for the living organisms, as it plays various important roles.

• Carbohydrate is the main source of energy, as about two-third energy requirement of living beings is fulfilled by it.
• Glucose, sugar, and starch are the important examples of carbohydrate.

Source of Carbohydrate

• Carbohydrates naturally are occurring in wide variety of foods, such as −
  • Wheat
  • Maize
  • Rice
  • Potatoes
  • Sugarcane
  • Fruits
  • Table sugar
  • Bread
  • Milk
• Sugar that we eat in our everyday life is mainly sucrose (table sugar).
• Sucrose is added in many food items while preparing, e.g. jam, biscuits, cakes, energy drinks, etc.
• Further, many fruits naturally contain glucose and fructose.
• Glycogen is another type of carbohydrate that found in the liver and muscle.
• Cellulose found in the cell wall of plant cells is carbohydrate.

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Types of Carbohydrate

• The following table illustrates major categories and sub-categories of carbohydrate −

Class	Subgroup	Components
Sugar	Monosaccharides	Glucose, fructose, xylose, galactose
	Disaccharides	Sucrose, lactose, maltose, trehalose
	Polyols	Sorbitol, mannitol
Oligosaccharides	Malto-oligosaccharides	Maltodextrins
	Other oligosaccharides	Raffinose, stachyose, fructo-oligosaccharides
Polysaccharides	Starch	Amylose, amylopectin, modified starches
	Non-starch polysaccharides	Cellulose, hemicellulose, pectins, hydrocolloids

Functions of Carbohydrate

• Following are the major functions of carbohydrates −
  • Carbohydrates provide energy required for the proper function of the body.
  • Carbohydrates also store food in the body for the contingency period.
  • Carbohydrates form nucleic acids.
  • Carbohydrates also support skeleton system of animals.
  • Carbohydrates provide sweetness and flavor.
  • Carbohydrates break down the fatty acid.