CARBOHYDRATES

Carbohydrates are a group of naturally occurring compounds containing carbon, hydrogen and oxygen only. They have the general formula C_x(H₂O)_y . they can be classified into two main groups: sugars and non-sugars. Sugars, which are generally sweet-tasting, crystalline and water-soluble , can be further divided into mono-, di-, tri-saccharides. The non-sugars are polysaccharides (i.e. macromolecular structures built up from many monosaccharide units joined together.

SUGARS

Monosaccharides

The two common monosaccharides fructose and glucose both have the molecular formula C6H12O6. they are refered to as hexoses because they contain six carbon atoms.

Fructose

CH₂OH

C=O

CHOH

CHOH

CHOH

CH₂OH

Glucose

CHO

CHOH

CHOH

CHOH

CHOH

CH₂OH

Disaccharides

A disaccharide is formed when two monosaccharides join together.

Maltose

Sucrose

NON SUGARS

Polysaccharides

Starch