INTRODUCTION

Living matter is largely made of biomolecules consisting of water and complex polymers
of amino acids, lipids, nucleotides and carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are the most abundant
biomolecules belonging to class of organic compounds found in living organisms on earth. Each
year, more than 100 billion metric tons of CO2 and H2O are converted into cellulose and other
plant products due to photosynthesis.
Carbohydrates comprise a comprehensive group of naturally occurring substances, which
include innumerable sugars and sugar derivatives, as well as high molecular weight carbohydrates
like starch and cellulose in plants and glycogen in animals. Carbohydrates, for example sugars
play many important roles in our food supply. They are source of calories and, in addition to
sweetening, perform many essential technical functions both in processed foods and in foods
prepared in the home.
Generally, carbohydrates play an important role in the metabolism of living organisms.
The biological breakdown of carbohydrates supplies the principal part of the energy that every
organism needs for various vital processes of life that are needed for human survival.