How to Test Simple Sugar

Simple sugars go by that name because they are carbohydrates that cannot be hydrolyzed further into any simpler components. Simple sugars fall into two groups: monosoccharides, or reducing sugars like glucose and ribose; disaccharides, commonly referred to as non-reducing sugars, such as sucrose. Testing for simple sugars is a simple experiment that can be performed in the laboratory using special reagents such as the Benedict's and Fehling's solutions.

Things You'll Need

  • Hydrated copper sulfate solution
  • 3 measuring cylinders
  • 180 mL beaker
  • Distilled water
  • Potassium nitrate tartrate
  • Stirring rods
  • 3 carbohydrate solutions (labeled A, B, C)
  • 3 boiling tubes
  • 3 test-tube holders
  • Dropper
  • Bunsen burner
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure about 15 mL of hydrated copper sulfate solution in a measuring cylinder and pour the solution into the 180 mL beaker. Rinse the measuring cylinder with distilled water and pour 15 mL of the potassium nitrate tartrate into it. Pour this solution into the beaker holding the copper sulfate solution. Stir with a stirring rod to form a homogenous mixture of Fehling's solution.

    • 2

      Rinse the measuring cylinder with distilled water and measure 25 mL of solution labeled A. Pour the solution into one of the boiling tubes. Rinse the measuring cylinder again. Measure 25 mL of solution labeled B and pour it onto the second boiling tube. Rinse again and perform the same procedure adding the solution labeled C to the third boiling tube.

    • 3

      Place the boiling tubes with the solutions A, B and C on the three test-tube holders. Use a dropper to add three to four drops of the Fehling's solution to each boiling tube containing the carbohydrate solutions. Place the boiling tubes simultaneously above a Bunsen burner and boil. Shake the boiling tubes continuously to minimize

      spitting.

    • 4

      Observe the changes. A brick-red color formation in the solutions and a greenish suspension indicate the presence of simple sugars. No color change in the solutions means no simple sugars are present.

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