Carbohydrates--the renewable raw materials of high biotechnological value.
Carbohydrates are the potential biomolecules derived from nature. Their molecular diversity has led to a bewildering variety of species, structures and characteristics all performing a large array of functions of great significance. Biologically they are vital as message (immunological) carriers, physiologically they are useful as energy (nutritional) reserves, and technologically they are needed for altering the texture and consistency (functional) of foods. Recent advances in glycobiology have opened up a new understanding of the role of sugars in biology and medicine. Noncellulosic beta-(1-3)-linked D-glucans, a group of polysaccharides found as constituents of fungi, algae, and higher plants, exhibit many interesting properties, depending on their molecular conformation. They are excellent 'biological response modifiers' and show significant immunomodulatory activities. They elicit a variety of host defense biological responses, for example, potent antitumor activity. On the other hand, the mixed-linkage ((1-3/1-4)-beta-linked) glucans are important constituents of cereal cell walls, where they perform properties of physiological importance, such as water holding capacity, porosity, and plasticity, which are useful at different stages of growth/development of plants. Of late, carbohydrate-based therapeutics are becoming the promise against many chronic diseases of today and tomorrow. Some of the characteristic features, structural attributes, functional significance, and applications of a selected few carbohydrate species are the subject matter of this review.
Ramesh
Honnavally P F
HP
Department of Biochemistry and Nutrition, Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore 570 013, India.
Tharanathan
Rudrapatnam N
RN
D001709:Biotechnology / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D050260:Carbohydrate Metabolism; D002241:Carbohydrates / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D004345:Drug Industry / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D005524:Food Technology / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D005936:Glucans / Q000737:chemistry / Q000191:economics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005947:Glucose / Q000737:chemistry / Q000191:economics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000191:economics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013213:Starch / Q000737:chemistry / Q000191:economics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use
D002241:Carbohydrates; D005936:Glucans; D011134:Polysaccharides; D013213:Starch; D005947:Glucose