Difference between revisions of "Carbohydrates"
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Carbohydrates are one of the main components of [[food]]. The combustion of carbohydrates is one of the main sources of energy for cells. The synthesis of carbohydrates is not a process of the chemical industry at this time. Biological systems are required to produce carbohydrates in significant amounts. | Carbohydrates are one of the main components of [[food]]. The combustion of carbohydrates is one of the main sources of energy for cells. The synthesis of carbohydrates is not a process of the chemical industry at this time. Biological systems are required to produce carbohydrates in significant amounts. | ||
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| + | ==Artificial carbohydrates== | ||
| + | Artificial carbohydrates are possible (1). However they are not cost competitive on earth. On Mars they might provide significant gains compared to conventional agriculture. | ||
As an energy source, carbohydrates store about 4000 kilocalories per kg, or 17 MJ/kg. | As an energy source, carbohydrates store about 4000 kilocalories per kg, or 17 MJ/kg. | ||
<references /> | <references /> | ||
| + | (1) DINGER, Florian et PLATT, Ulrich. Towards an artificial carbohydrates supply on Earth. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 2020, vol. 4, p. 90. | ||
Revision as of 10:56, 1 May 2024
Carbohydrates are used by plants to store the energy of sunlight using photosynthesis. The term is most common in biochemistry, where it is a synonym of saccharide, a group that includes sugars, starch, and cellulose. [1] Carbohydrates contain oxygen atoms, while hydrocarbons do not. Their generic chemical formula is Cm(H2O)n.
Carbohydrates are one of the main components of food. The combustion of carbohydrates is one of the main sources of energy for cells. The synthesis of carbohydrates is not a process of the chemical industry at this time. Biological systems are required to produce carbohydrates in significant amounts.
Artificial carbohydrates
Artificial carbohydrates are possible (1). However they are not cost competitive on earth. On Mars they might provide significant gains compared to conventional agriculture.
As an energy source, carbohydrates store about 4000 kilocalories per kg, or 17 MJ/kg.
(1) DINGER, Florian et PLATT, Ulrich. Towards an artificial carbohydrates supply on Earth. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 2020, vol. 4, p. 90.
