OLIGOSACCHARIDE Meaning and
Definition
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Oligosaccharide is a term used in biochemistry and nutrition to refer to a type of carbohydrate molecule composed of a relatively small number of sugar units bonded together. It is characterized by its short chain length, typically consisting of two to ten sugar monomers joined by glycosidic bonds. Oligosaccharides can be found naturally in a variety of foods, such as legumes, grains, and certain fruits and vegetables.
The structure of oligosaccharides can vary greatly depending on the specific arrangement and types of sugar monomers present. Common monosaccharides that can form oligosaccharides include glucose, fructose, galactose, and mannose. The bonds holding these monomers together can be either alpha or beta glycosidic linkages.
Oligosaccharides are not easily broken down by human digestive enzymes, making them a type of indigestible carbohydrate. As such, they can pass through the stomach and small intestine intact, reaching the large intestine where they are fermented by beneficial gut bacteria. This fermentation process can produce various beneficial effects for human health, including promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria, enhancing mineral absorption, improving bowel regularity, and potentially reducing the risk of certain diseases.
Due to their potential health benefits, oligosaccharides are frequently used as prebiotics, which are substances that selectively stimulate the growth and activity of beneficial bacteria in the gut. They are also utilized as food additives in the preparation of certain products, such as infant formula and functional foods.
Common Misspellings for OLIGOSACCHARIDE
- iligosaccharide
- kligosaccharide
- lligosaccharide
- pligosaccharide
- 0ligosaccharide
- 9ligosaccharide
- okigosaccharide
- opigosaccharide
- ooigosaccharide
- olugosaccharide
- oljgosaccharide
- olkgosaccharide
- ologosaccharide
- ol9gosaccharide
- ol8gosaccharide
- olifosaccharide
- olivosaccharide
- olibosaccharide
- olihosaccharide
- oligosaccharids
Etymology of OLIGOSACCHARIDE
The word "oligosaccharide" is derived from two Greek roots: "oligo", meaning "few" or "little", and "sacchar", meaning "sugar". Therefore, "oligosaccharide" literally translates to "a few sugars" or "a little bit of sugar". This term is used in biochemistry to refer to a type of carbohydrate composed of a small number of sugar molecules joined together.
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