Carbohydrates and proteins as nonequilibrium components of biological materials

Abstract

Carbohydrates and proteins form the main hydrophilic phases in biological materials. Water solubility and formation of glass-like structures at high solids contents are well-known properties of carbohydrates, particularly of low molecular weight sugars (White and Cakebread 1966). Natural biological materials, including foods, often contain carbohydrates mixed with proteins and other hydrophilic substances in their aqueous phase.