Which of the following is a reducing sugar?[2002]a)galactoseb)gluconic...
Reducing sugar is any sugar that has an aldehyde group or is capable of forming one in solution through isomerisation. Reducing monosaccharides include glucose, fructose, glyceraldehyde and galactose. Many disaccharides, like lactose and maltose also have a reducing form, as one of the two units may have an open- chain form with an aldehyde group.
However, sucrose and trehalose in which the anomeric carbons of the two units are linked together, are non reducing disaccharides since neither of the rings is capable of opening.
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Which of the following is a reducing sugar?[2002]a)galactoseb)gluconic...
Understanding Reducing Sugars
A reducing sugar is a type of sugar that can donate electrons to another chemical, thus reducing it. This property is typically due to the presence of a free aldehyde or ketone group in the sugar molecule.
Evaluating the Options
- Galactose:
- Galactose is a monosaccharide and has a free aldehyde group when in its open-chain form.
- This allows it to act as a reducing agent, making it a reducing sugar.
- Gluconic Acid:
- Gluconic acid is derived from glucose, where the aldehyde group has been oxidized to a carboxylic acid.
- Since the aldehyde group is no longer available, gluconic acid cannot act as a reducing sugar.
- b-Methyl Galactoside:
- This compound is a glycoside formed from galactose.
- The glycosidic bond prevents the free aldehyde group from being available, thus it does not function as a reducing sugar.
- Sucrose:
- Sucrose is a disaccharide made up of glucose and fructose.
- In sucrose, both anomeric carbons are involved in the glycosidic bond, meaning neither retains their free aldehyde or ketone groups, making sucrose a non-reducing sugar.
Conclusion
Given the analysis, the only compound from the options listed that qualifies as a reducing sugar is:
- Galactose (Option A).
Understanding the structural properties and functional groups of these sugars is crucial for identifying reducing sugars in biochemical contexts.
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