Biologically important disaccharides

PHYSIOLOGICALLY IMPORTANT DISACCHARIDES

Sugars

Occurrence

PHYSIOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE

 Maltose

Digestion of starch by amylase
Germinating cereals and malt

 On hydrolysis produces glucose for energy

Lactose

Milk

In lactase deficiency, malabsorption leads to diarrhoea and flatulence

Sucrose

Cane and beet sugar, sorghum, pine apple, carrot roots 

In sucrase deficiency, malabsorption leads to diarrhoea and flatulence

Last modified: Monday, 18 June 2012, 4:55 AM