Which of the following is correct structure of $$\alpha$$-anomer of maltose?

Maltose is a disaccharide composed of two glucose units linked by a glycosidic bond. The key features of maltose are as follows.

Maltose consists of two $$\alpha$$-D-glucose units joined by an $$\alpha$$-1,4-glycosidic linkage. This means the glycosidic bond connects the C-1 of one glucose unit (in the $$\alpha$$ configuration) to the C-4 of the second glucose unit.

The $$\alpha$$-anomer of maltose specifically refers to the configuration at the anomeric carbon (C-1) of the reducing end glucose unit. In the $$\alpha$$-anomer, the hydroxyl group at C-1 of the reducing end is in the axial position (pointing downward in the Haworth projection).

Therefore, the correct structure of the $$\alpha$$-anomer of maltose has an $$\alpha$$-1,4-glycosidic linkage between the two glucose units, with the anomeric hydroxyl at the reducing end also in the $$\alpha$$ configuration. This corresponds to option (1).