1. Oligosaccharides
 Oligo means “few”
 Saccharides means “sugar”
 Contains 2-10 monosaccharide molecules which are liberated on
hydrolysis.
 Properties:
 Less sweet in taste.
 Less soluble in water

2. Types of Oligosachharides
 Based on the number of monosaccharides units
present they are subdivided as.
1. Disaccharides :
• On hydrolysis produce 2 molecules of the same or
different monosaccharide.
I. Maltose Glucose + Glucose
II. Sucrose Glucose + Fructose
III. Lactose Glucose + Galactose

3. Types of Oligosaccharides
2. Trisaccharides :
• Contains 3 monosaccharide units .
Raffinose Fructose+Galactose+Glucose
3. Tetrasaccharides :
• Contains 4 monosaccharide units.
Stachyose 2(Galactose)+Glucose+Fructose
4. Pentasaccharides :
• Contains 5 monosaccharide units.
Verbascose 3(Galactose)+Glucoce+Fructose

4. importance
 Oligosacchrides are not digest by human gastric glands.
 they are consumed by intestinal microflora.
 Importance
1. Help in growth of microflora that reduce the activity of
pathogens.
2. Reduce toxic metabolites
3. Prevent constipation(softens stools) and protect liver
functions
4. Reduce serum cholestrol level(increase glucose
metabolism)
5. Have anticancerous effects.( cause apoptosis)