Question

What is the difference between a reducing sugar and non-reducing sugar?

A. Reducing sugars have a higher calorific value than non-reducing sugars.
B. Reducing sugars can reduce other substances, while non-reducing sugars cannot.
C. Reducing sugars are sweet in taste, while non-reducing sugars are bitter.
D. Reducing sugars contain glucose, while non-reducing sugars contain fructose.

Answer 1

Reducing sugars have a free aldehydic or ketonic group and can react with mild oxidizing agents to form an aldonic acid. Non-reducing sugars do not have a free aldehydic or ketonic group and cannot undergo this reaction.

Step-by-step explanation:

Reducing sugars are carbohydrates that can react with mild oxidizing agents to form an aldonic acid. They have a free aldehydic or ketonic group, such as glucose, fructose, and galactose. On the other hand, non-reducing sugars do not have a free aldehydic or ketonic group, such as sucrose and trehalose.

An example of a reducing sugar is D-glucose, which can react with an oxidizing agent under alkaline conditions to form an aldonic acid. Non-reducing sugars like sucrose do not have a free aldehydic or ketonic group, so they cannot undergo this reaction.