Bioactive carbohydrates

Abstract

Carbohydrates (also known as saccharides) are the chemical moieties composed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. Based upon their association they are known as monosaccharides, disaccharides, oligosaccharides and polysaccharides. Monosaccharides are the major energy providing moieties in the body. Different level of carbohydrate such as monosaccharides, disaccharides, oligosaccharides and polysaccharides play important role in functioning of the body. It has been demonstrated that polysaccharides and oligosaccharides together constitutes one of the most abundant group of biopolymer. In other words polysaccharide constitutes an important part of the bio-macromolecules in the life science. Generally bioactive carbohydrate may be defined as those show biological efficacy in organism and are produced by the organism. Beside the above mentioned functions, bioactive polysaccharides play role against different diseases, disorders and infection. The complex structure, assembly of monomers, pattern of bonding and charge distribution among polysaccharide structures is the basis of differential biochemical activities of bioactive carbohydrates. In the present book chapter we will discuss various bioactive polysaccharides, their natural occurrence, biological and medicinal attributes. ? 2018 Nova Science Publishers, Inc.