Which process involves the breakdown of carbohydrates into simpler sugars?

The process that involves the breakdown of carbohydrates into simpler sugars is hydrolysis. During hydrolysis, water molecules are used to break the glycosidic bonds that connect the sugar units in complex carbohydrates, such as starch or glycogen. This reaction results in the formation of simpler sugars, including monosaccharides like glucose.

In the context of food science, hydrolysis is essential for digestion, as it allows the body to break down complex carbohydrates into smaller units that can be easily absorbed.

Although digestion encompasses the overall process of breaking down food, including carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, it also includes multiple other biochemical processes and mechanisms beyond just hydrolysis. Fermentation, on the other hand, is a metabolic process that converts sugars to acids, gases, or alcohol in the absence of oxygen but does not primarily focus on breaking down carbohydrates into simpler sugars. Dehydration refers to the removal of water, which does not facilitate the breakdown of carbohydrates.