Content
- Types of Carbohydrates
- Examples of monosaccharides
- Examples of disaccharides
- Examples of oligosaccharides
- Examples of polysaccharides
The carbohydrates, carbohydrates or carbohydrates are biomolecules made up of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. Carbohydrates are part of the bodies of living beings fulfilling structural and energy storage functions.
By consuming them in food, offer a readily available source of energy (unlike fats, which also contain energy but require a longer process in the body to obtain it). The process by which a carbohydrate molecule releases its energy is called oxidation.
Each gram of carbohydrate provides 4 kilocalories.
Types of Carbohydrates
According to their structure, carbohydrates are classified into:
- Monosaccharides: Formed by a single molecule.
- Disaccharides: Formed by two monosaccharide molecules, joined by a covalent bond (glycosidic bond).
- Oligosaccharides: Made up of between three and nine monosaccharide molecules. They are usually attached to protein, so they form glycoproteins.
- Polysaccharides: Formed by chains of ten or more monosaccharides. The chains may or may not be branched. In organisms, they fulfill structure and storage functions.
It can serve you: Examples of Monosaccharides, Disaccharides and Polysaccharides
Examples of monosaccharides
Arabinosa: It is not found free in nature.
Ribose: Found in:
- Cow liver
- Pork loin
- Mushrooms
- Spinach
- Broccoli
- Asparagus
- Unpasteurized milk
Fructose: Found in:
- Carob
- Plums
- Apples
- Tamarind
- Honey
- Figs
- Grapefruits
- Tomatoes
- Coconut
Glucose: It is essential for good physical and mental functioning. Is found in:
- Dairy products
- Nuts
- Cereals
Galactose: It is not found in its natural state.
Mannose In food, it is found in legumes.
Xylose: It is difficult to digest, it is found in the following foods:
- Corn
- Corn husks
Examples of disaccharides
Sucrose: Composed of one molecule of glucose and one of fructose. It is the most abundant disaccharide. In food, it is found in:
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Sugar
- Beet
- Sweet industrial drinks
- Candies
- Candies
Lactose: Composed of a galactose molecule and a glucose molecule. In food, it is found in:
- Milk
- Yogurt
- cheese
- Other dairy
Maltose: Formed by two glucose molecules. It is the least common disaccharide in nature, but it is formed industrially. In food, it is found in:
- Beer
- Bread
Cellobiose: Formed by two glucose molecules. It does not exist as such in nature.
Examples of oligosaccharides
Raffinose: It is found in:
- Beet stalks
Melicitosa: Composed of one molecule of fructose and two of glucose. In food, it is found in:
Examples of polysaccharides
Starch: It is found in plants because it is the way they store monosaccharides. In food, they are found in
- Banana
- Pope
- pumpkin
- Squash
- Chickpeas
- Corn
- Turnips
Glycogen: It is stored in muscles and liver to give energy. In food it is found in:
- Flours
- Bread
- Rice
- Pasta
- Potato
- Banana
- Apple
- Orange
- Oats
- Yogurt
Cellulose: It is a structural polysaccharide, it is found in the cell wall mainly of plants, but also of other organisms. It is what in food we call “fiber”:
- Spinach
- Lettuce
- Apples
- Seeds
- Whole grains
- Pineapple
Chitin: Similar in structure to cellulose, but with nitrogen in its molecule, which makes it more resistant. It is used as a food stabilizer.
It can serve you: 20 Examples of Carbohydrates (and their function)
