Subject:
Carbohydrates Robert J Sturgeon, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK The carbohydrates comprise one of the major groups of naturally occurring organic molecules and are amongst the most abundant constituents of plants, animals and microorganisms. In general, carbohydrates are polyhydroxy-aldehydes or-ketones. They may contain, in addition, amino, acetamido and carboxyl functional groups. Introduction The term carbohydrate includes monosaccharides, oligo- saccharides and polysaccharides. Also included are sub- stances derived from monosaccharides such as alditols, which are derived by reduction of the carbonyl group and carboxylic acids, which are derived by oxidation of one or more terminal groups. Replacement of a hydroxyl group with a hydrogen atom produces a deoxy-sugar and
