Characterization of Carbohydrates
Characterization of Carbohydrates
Characterization of Carbohydrates
ABSTRACT
This report presents the characterization of carbohydrates. In the characterization of
carbohydrates, two kinds of test were used, namely the General Test of Polysaccharides and the
Qualitative Test for Carbohydrates. Under the general test of Polysaccharides there are two test,
namely the Molischs Test and the Iodines Test. In the qualitative test for Carbohydrates, four
test were performed, namely the Benedicts Test, a test to know if the carbohydrate is a reducing
or non-reducing sugar. Another test is the Barfoeds Test, a test to know if the carbohydrate is a
monosaccharide or disaccharide. The next test is the Seliwanoffs Test, a test to know if the
carbohydrate is a ketose or an aldose. And the last test is the Mucic Test, this test is specific for
galactose. The starch can be described as having a colorless, gel-like appearance. As a result
from both Molischs and Iodine Test, that the Starch is a polysaccharide. While in the Qualitative
Tests, the results for the Benedicts test says that the Glucose, Fructose, Lactose and Maltose are
reducing sugar, while Sucrose is a non-reducing sugar. For the Barfoeds Test the Glucose and
Fructose are monosaccharides, while Lactose, Sucrose and Maltose are disaccharides. And in the
Seliwanoffs test Glucose is an Aldose and Fructose is a Ketose.
Results and Discussion test are positive which means that Starch is a
polysaccharide.
Carbohydrates are mainly divided
into monosaccharides, disaccharides and
polysaccharides. The commonly occurring
monosaccharides includes glucose, fructose,
galactose, ribose, etc. The two
monosaccharides combine together to form
disaccharides which include sucrose, lactose
and maltose. Starch and cellulose fall into
the category of polysaccharides, which
consist of many monosaccharide residues.