Enantiomers are mirror images of each other. These are otherwise called as D and L sugars; for example, D-fructose and L-fructose are enantiomers. If the OH group to the carbon atom lies on the right-hand side, then it is known as D series, as shown in Figure 2.3. Most of the sugars in humans are D-sugars,…

Stereoisomers differing in configuration or arrangement of —OH group on a single asymmetric carbon are known as epimers. For example, mannose and glucose are epimers (Figure 2.2). The position of the —OH group differs only in the C-2 position. Similarly, galactose and glucose are epimers. The position of the —OH group differs only in the…

The configuration of D-aldoses starting from D-glyceraldehyde is shown in Figure 2.1. This is explained by Kiliani–Fischer synthesis, by increasing the chain length of aldose by one carbon at a time.

Stereoisomers are compounds with the same structural formula but different spatial configuration. A carbon atom is said to be asymmetric if it is attached to four different chemical groups. Monosaccharides contain at least one asymmetric carbon. Isomers are formed due to the presence of asymmetric carbon. The number of isomers in a compound depends on…

The major subdivisions of monosaccharides are shown in Table 2.1.   Table 2.1 Subdivisions of Monosaccharides Class Aldose Ketose Triose Glyceraldehyde Dihydroxyacetone Tetrose Erythrose Erythrulose Pentose Ribose Ribulose Hexose Glucose Fructose Heptose Sedoheptose Sedoheptulose Monosaccharides are soluble in water and insoluble in organic solvents. They are odourless crystals with a sweet taste. The chemical properties of these…

Monosaccharides are the simplest carbohydrates, which cannot be hydrolysed further. The general molecular formula is CnH2nOn. They are further subdivided into trioses, tetroses, pentoses, hexoses, and heptoses based on the number of carbon atoms present in them and into aldoses and ketoses based on the aldehyde or ketone group present.

Carbohydrates are classified into the following four major groups:

Carbohydrates are defined as polyhydroxy aldehydes or ketones. Carbohydrates are soluble in water and sweet in taste. Carbohydrates are one of the compounds largely present in nature. They perform the functions of storage and energy production and act as one of the membrane constituents.

Carbohydrates are relatively small molecules that are generally called as simple sugars (monosaccharides and disaccharides) as well as macromolecular substances (starch, glycogen, and celluloses). The word sugar emphasises the idea of energy in our minds. From the study of the structure–function relationship of biomolecules, it is apparent that each and every molecule differs structurally and also…