oligosaccharide

noun

ol·​i·​go·​sac·​cha·​ride ˈä-li-gō-ˈsa-kə-ˌrīd 

ˈō-;

ə-ˈli-gə-

: a saccharide that contains usually three to ten monosaccharide units

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

The prebiotics that are commonly highlighted are oligosaccharides, which are a type of carbohydrate naturally found in a variety of plant foods. —Valerie Agyeman, Good Housekeeping, 21 Mar. 2023

Researchers in Ireland asserted that there is no fetal microbiome; tiny bites of solid food reduce breastfeeding duration; and living near green environments increases the oligosaccharide diversity of a mother’s milk. —Lisa Wells, Harper’s Magazine , 13 Mar. 2023

This relationship has enabled the two companies to do joint research to further optimize the digestibility of varieties for the specific fish species that BioMar raises – for instance by reducing certain oligosaccharides. —Steven Savage, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2023

The same oligosaccharides on red blood cells also appear on the surface of cells that line the small intestine. —Patricia L. Foster, The Conversation, 10 Jan. 2020

Norovirus and a few other viruses use these oligosaccharides to grab onto and infect the intestinal cells. —Patricia L. Foster, The Conversation, 10 Jan. 2020

In short, this concept tries to explain why oligosaccharides – which are indigestible to babies – are the third-most prominent component in milk, are complex in structure and are variable between species. —Enea Rezzonico, Scientific American, 17 Feb. 2015

As studies uncovered the importance of human milk oligosaccharides, so began attempts to mimic them in infant formula. —Alice Callahan, Smithsonian, 25 Oct. 2019

These include lactose, fructose, sugar alcohols and specific types of fiber — the oligosaccharides — found in many wheat, rye barley, beans, nuts and many vegetables. —Carrie Dennett, Washington Post, 4 Nov. 2019

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Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1930, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

oligosaccharide

noun

oli·​go·​sac·​cha·​ride ˌäl-i-gō-ˈsak-ə-ˌrīd, ˌō-li- 

: a saccharide that contains usually three to ten monosaccharide units