Question

Data Table 1. Sugar Tests with Benedict’sReagent.

Test tube number	Substance	Hypothesis	Final color	Test results for reducing sugar
1	Distilled water
2	Glucose solution
3	Starch solution
4	Table sugar
5	Splenda®
6	Sweet'N Low®
7	Milk
8	Juice
9	Potato

Questions

1. Did the table sugar solution test positive or negative forreducing sugars? Explain why you received these

2. Do Splenda® and Sweet’N Low® test positive or negative forreducing sugars? List the ingredients found in each of theseproducts. Underline the ingredient that is the artificialsweetener. (Hint: There is only one artificial sweetener in each ofthe products. Refer to the Introduction.)

3. What is the relationship of glucose and dextrose? How doesthis relationship influence the test results for Splenda® andSweet’N Low®?

4. A common artificial sweetener found in Equal®, NutraSweet®,and many diet sodas is aspartame(C₁₄H₁₈N₂O₅). Would asample of pure aspartame test positive or negative for reducingsugars? (The pure sample does not contain other ingredients, suchas dextrose, maltodextrin, or calcium silicate.)

5. Unlike other sweeteners, Splenda® may be used in cookingbecause it does not break down at higher temperatures. Many recipescall for Splenda® instead of table sugar. Is a cake baked withSplenda® actually sugar-free? How might this affect a personconcerned with blood sugar levels?

Exercise 2: Detection of Starch

Data Table 2. Starch Tests with IKIIndicator.

Test tube number	Substance	Hypothesis	Final color	Test results for starch
1	Distilled water
2	Glucose solution
3	Starch solution
4	Table sugar
5	Splenda®
6	Sweet’N Low®
7	Milk
8	Juice
9	Potato

Questions

1.Which sugar substitute tested positive for presence of starch?This sugar substitute contains a starch derived from corn orpotatoes. List the ingredient that is the starch.

2. List three examples of polysaccharides in living organisms.Describe the structural orientations of each.

3. When a human consumes starch, the polysaccharides are brokendown into simple sugars, which are converted to polysaccharides forstorage in the cells. However, simple sugars are used by the cellto perform work. Describe why it is necessary to change the form ofthe carbohydrate in the body.

Exercise 3: Converting Starch to Sugar

Data Table 3. Conversion of Starch to the SugarMaltose.

Test tube number	Substance + α-amylase	Final color	Test results for reducing sugar	Test results for starch
1	Distilled water			----------
2	Distilled water		----------
3	Starch solution			----------
4	Starch solution		----------

Questions

1. What type of reaction is the conversion of starch to maltose?Describe what occurs during the reaction.

2. Is maltose a reducing sugar or a non-reducing sugar? Supportyour answer with information in Data Table 3. Maltose is a reducingsugar. Explain why by finding a supporting reference.