reducing and non- reducing sugars Flashcards
1
Q
what is a reducing sugar?
A
they donate electrons and become a reducing agent and their carbonyl group is oxidised
2
Q
what is a non - reducing sugar?
A
they cannot donate electrons so aren’t oxidised
3
Q
how do we test for reducing sugars and why?
A
using benedicts test - because they reduce the soluble copper sulfate to insoluble copper oxide, which is brick red
4
Q
give examples of reducing sugars
A
generally monosaccharides - glucose, fructose
5
Q
how do we test for non - reducing sugars?
A
we hydrolyse a disaccharide using an acid, neutralise with an alkali and then carry out the benedicts test
6
Q
give examples of non - reducing sugars
A
generally disaccharides - sucrose, lactose
