🍕Principles of Food Science Unit 4 – Carbohydrates: Structure and Function

What Are Carbohydrates?

• Carbohydrates are one of the three main macronutrients found in food (along with proteins and fats)
• Composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms, typically in a ratio of 1:2:1 respectively
• Primary source of energy for the human body, providing 4 calories per gram
• Can be classified as simple or complex based on their chemical structure and how quickly they are digested and absorbed
• Found in a wide variety of foods, including fruits, vegetables, grains, and dairy products
  • Fruits (apples, bananas, oranges) contain natural sugars like fructose and glucose
  • Vegetables (potatoes, corn, peas) contain starches and fiber
• Play important roles in plant structure and function, such as providing energy storage and structural support
• Excess carbohydrates not immediately used for energy are stored as glycogen in the liver and muscles or converted to fat for long-term storage

Types of Carbohydrates

• Simple carbohydrates, also known as sugars, are composed of one or two sugar molecules
  • Monosaccharides contain a single sugar molecule (glucose, fructose, galactose)
  • Disaccharides are formed when two monosaccharides bond together (sucrose, lactose, maltose)
• Complex carbohydrates, also called polysaccharides, are composed of many simple sugar molecules linked together in long chains
  • Starches are the most common type of complex carbohydrate in the human diet (found in grains, potatoes, and legumes)
  • Fiber is another type of complex carbohydrate that is not easily digested by the human body (found in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains)
    • Soluble fiber dissolves in water and can help lower blood cholesterol levels (oats, apples, citrus fruits)
    • Insoluble fiber does not dissolve in water and promotes regular bowel movements (wheat bran, vegetables, nuts)
• Oligosaccharides are carbohydrates containing 3-10 simple sugar molecules (raffinose, stachyose, verbascose)
• Sugar alcohols are a type of carbohydrate commonly used as sugar substitutes (xylitol, sorbitol, maltitol)

Chemical Structure of Carbs

• Carbohydrates are composed of carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O) atoms, typically in a 1:2:1 ratio
• The basic building block of carbohydrates is a simple sugar molecule called a saccharide
• Monosaccharides are the simplest form of carbohydrates and cannot be broken down further
  • Glucose ($C_6H_{12}O_6$) is the most common monosaccharide and the primary energy source for cells
  • Fructose ($C_6H_{12}O_6$) is found in fruits and honey and is the sweetest naturally occurring sugar
• Disaccharides are formed when two monosaccharides bond together through a glycosidic linkage
  • Sucrose (table sugar) is a disaccharide composed of glucose and fructose ($C_{12}H_{22}O_{11}$)
  • Lactose (milk sugar) is a disaccharide composed of glucose and galactose ($C_{12}H_{22}O_{11}$)
• Polysaccharides are long chains of monosaccharides linked together by glycosidic bonds
  • Starch is a polysaccharide composed of many glucose molecules and is found in plants (potatoes, grains)
  • Cellulose is a structural polysaccharide found in plant cell walls and is a major component of dietary fiber

How Carbs Function in Food

• Provide sweetness and flavor to foods, with simple sugars being the sweetest (fructose, sucrose)
• Act as a bulking agent and provide texture to foods (starches in baked goods, fiber in whole grains)
• Serve as a thickening agent in sauces, soups, and stews (starches like cornstarch or arrowroot)
• Contribute to browning and caramelization in baked goods and seared meats (Maillard reaction)
• Help retain moisture in foods, preventing them from drying out (starches in bread, cakes)
• Act as a fermentation substrate for yeast in the production of bread, beer, and other fermented foods
• Provide a source of energy for leavening agents like yeast and baking powder in baked goods
• Contribute to the formation of a crispy crust in fried foods (starches in breading or batter)

Carbs in Nutrition and Health

• Carbohydrates are the body's primary source of energy, providing 4 calories per gram
• Essential for proper brain function, as the brain relies almost exclusively on glucose for energy
• Fiber helps promote digestive health, regular bowel movements, and feelings of fullness
  • Adequate fiber intake may reduce the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers
• Simple sugars are quickly digested and absorbed, leading to rapid spikes in blood sugar levels
  • Excessive consumption of added sugars can contribute to obesity, diabetes, and other health issues
• Complex carbohydrates are digested more slowly, providing a more stable source of energy and promoting feelings of satiety
  • Whole grains, fruits, and vegetables are nutrient-dense sources of complex carbohydrates and fiber
• Low-carbohydrate diets may be effective for short-term weight loss but may not be sustainable long-term
• Carbohydrate quality is important, with a focus on minimally processed, nutrient-dense sources over refined and added sugars

Food Industry Applications

• Sugar is widely used as a sweetener in beverages, baked goods, and confectionery products
• High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is a common sweetener in processed foods due to its low cost and sweetness
• Starches are used as thickeners, stabilizers, and emulsifiers in various food products (sauces, dressings, ice cream)
• Modified starches are used to improve texture, stability, and shelf life of processed foods
• Fiber is added to foods to increase nutrient density and promote digestive health (bran cereals, fiber supplements)
• Sugar alcohols are used as low-calorie sweeteners in sugar-free and reduced-sugar products (chewing gum, candy)
• Carbohydrates are used in the production of bioplastics, biodegradable packaging materials derived from renewable resources
• Fermentable carbohydrates are used in the production of alcoholic beverages, fermented foods, and probiotics

Lab Work and Experiments

• Qualitative tests for the presence of carbohydrates include Benedict's test (reducing sugars) and iodine test (starch)
• Quantitative analysis of carbohydrate content can be performed using methods like high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) or gas chromatography (GC)
• Enzymatic assays are used to measure specific carbohydrates, such as glucose (glucose oxidase) or lactose (β-galactosidase)
• Calorimetry is used to determine the energy content of carbohydrate-containing foods
• Rheological tests (viscosity, texture analysis) are used to evaluate the functional properties of carbohydrates in food systems
• Fermentation experiments are conducted to study the role of carbohydrates in the production of alcoholic beverages, fermented foods, and probiotics
• Digestibility studies are performed to assess the bioavailability and metabolic effects of different types of carbohydrates
• Sensory evaluations are conducted to assess the impact of carbohydrates on the taste, texture, and overall acceptability of food products

Key Takeaways and Study Tips

• Understand the basic chemical structure of carbohydrates and the differences between simple and complex carbs
• Know the common types of monosaccharides (glucose, fructose, galactose), disaccharides (sucrose, lactose, maltose), and polysaccharides (starch, fiber)
• Be able to explain how carbohydrates function in food, including their roles in sweetness, texture, browning, and fermentation
• Recognize the nutritional importance of carbohydrates as a primary energy source and the health benefits of fiber
• Be aware of the food industry applications of carbohydrates, such as sweeteners, thickeners, and packaging materials
• Familiarize yourself with common lab techniques used to analyze and characterize carbohydrates in food systems
• Use mnemonic devices or acronyms to remember key concepts, such as the monosaccharide names (GFG: glucose, fructose, galactose) or the types of fiber (SIN: soluble, insoluble)
• Create visual aids like flowcharts or mind maps to illustrate the relationships between different types of carbohydrates and their functions
• Practice applying your knowledge to real-world examples, such as identifying carbohydrate sources in common foods or explaining the role of carbohydrates in specific food products