Elementary plant Biochemistry and Biotechnology (2+1)

Carbohydrates

History of Biochemistry

• Compounds with empirical formula, (CH2O)n, are called as carbohydrates (hydrates of carbons). With the discoveries of many diverse carbohydrates it was noticed that many, but not all, carbohydrates have the above empirical formula; some also contain nitrogen, phosphorus or sulfur.


• There are some carbohydrates (derivatives) that do not possess (CH2O)n. On the other hand, there are a few non-carbohydrate compounds like lactic acid with empirical formula (CH2O)n. Hence, carbohydrates are chemically defined as polyhydroxy aldehydes or ketones, their derivatives and their polymer