ABSTRACT
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Nature commonly utilizes saccharides as a source of energy, structure-forming material, water-maintaining hydrocolloids, and even sex attractants. Amino acids synthesize in the concentrated space and polymerize into proteins on already-available polysaccharide matrices. All organism cells, including those of animals, contain
saccharide components in their membranes. Frequently, saccharides exist in naturally derivatized forms, including aminated forms, as in chitin and chitosan; esterified; alkylated as in glycosides; oxidized; reduced; or linked to proteins, lipids, and other structures, such as glycoproteins.
