Dictionary
Oligosaccharides
Oligosaccharides are sugars composed of several (2 -10) monosaccharide subunits. They have similar properties to monosaccharides. Of the oligosaccharides, disaccharides (composed of two monosaccharide subunits) are particularly important. They are water-soluble and usually have a sweet taste. These include maltose (malt sugar), lactose (milk sugar) and sucrose (beet, cane sugar).