Source of Unavailable carbohydrate

Carbohydrates, along with lipids, proteins, nucleic acids, and other compounds are known as
biomolecules because they are closely associated with living organisms. Carbohydrates are
organic compounds that contain carbon, hydrogen and oxygen in the ratio 1:2:1. The word
“carbohydrate” includes polymers and other compounds synthesized from polyhydroxylated
aldehydes and ketones. Carbohydrates are commonly divided into monosaccharides,
oligosaccharides and polysaccharides
Carbohydrate biosynthesis in plants starting from carbon dioxide and water with the help of light
energy, i. e., photosynthesis, is the basis for the existence of all other organisms which depend on
the intake of organic substances with food. Carbohydrates represent one of the basic nutrients
and are quantitatively the most important source of energy. Their nutritional energy value
amounts to 17 kJ/g or kcal/g.

 Available and Unavailable Carbohydrates

 Available carbohydrates: It is defined as those, carbohydrate which are digested and

absorbed by the human small intestine and which are glucogenic. It can provide about 4 Calories
per gram of energy. Available carbohydrates include:

 Sugars: glucose, fructose, galactose, mannose, sucrose, lactose, maltose, isomaltose,

isomaltulose and trehalose
 Starch, dextrin and maltodextrin
 Glycogen
 Glycerol (glycerin)
 Partially available carbohydrates: such as tagatose and sugar alcohols or polyols (sorbitol,
xylitol, etc.), are partially absorbed in the small intestine and partially fermented by colonic
bacteria into short-chain fatty acids and other nutrients that can be absorbed and can provide 1.5-
3.5 kilocalories per gram.
 Unavailable carbohydrates: The unavailable carbohydrates were defined as those that are
not digested by the endogenous secretions of the human digestive tract. They include:
 Soluble fiber: This type of fiber dissolves in water to form a gel-like material. It can help
lower blood cholesterol and glucose levels. Soluble fiber is found in oats, peas, beans, apples,
citrus fruits, carrots, barley and psyllium. Soluble fiber (such as fructooligosaccharides (FOS),
galactosaccharides (GOS), galactomannans, glucomannans and resistant starches) can be broken
down (fermented) by the large intestinal bacteria into short-chain fatty acids, which can be
absorbed and can provide about 2 Calories per gram.
 Insoluble fiber: Insoluble fiber does not dissolve in water but it get insert into digestive
enzymes in the upper gastrointestinal tract. Examples are wheat bran, cellulose, and lignin.
Coarsely ground insoluble fiber triggers the secretion of mucus in the large intestine, providing
bulking. Finely ground insoluble fiber does not have this effect and can actually have a
constipating effect. Some forms of insoluble fiber, such as resistant starches, can be fermented in
the colon.