What are disaccharides? What are examples of disaccharides?
What are Disaccharides?
Disaccharides are carbohydrates formed by the chemical bonding of two monosaccharides (simple sugars) through a glycosidic linkage. This linkage is created via a condensation reaction, where a water molecule is lost as two monosaccharides combine. Disaccharides are typically water-soluble and can be either reducing or non-reducing sugars, depending on whether they have a free aldehyde or ketone group available for oxidation123.
Examples of Disaccharides
Some of the most common disaccharides include:
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Sucrose (Table Sugar): Composed of glucose and fructose, sucrose is a non-reducing sugar found in many plants and is commonly used as table sugar123.
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Lactose (Milk Sugar): Found in milk, lactose is made up of glucose and galactose. It is a reducing sugar and can cause digestive issues in individuals with lactose intolerance123.
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Maltose (Malt Sugar): Formed from two glucose molecules, maltose is a reducing sugar often produced during the breakdown of starches123.
Other less common disaccharides include trehalose, lactulose, cellobiose, and chitobiose13.