Hydrolysis of Starch to Glucose in Presence of Mineral Acids

Introduction:
Starch is a complex carbohydrate made up of glucose units linked together in a chain-like structure. Hydrolysis of starch refers to the breakdown of these glucose units into simpler forms. This hydrolysis reaction can be catalyzed by mineral acids, such as hydrochloric acid (HCl) or sulfuric acid (H2SO4), which act as catalysts and provide the necessary conditions for the reaction to occur.

Hydrolysis Reaction:
The hydrolysis of starch in the presence of mineral acids involves the breaking of the glycosidic bonds between the glucose units. These glycosidic bonds are formed by the condensation reaction between the hydroxyl groups of adjacent glucose molecules, resulting in the formation of water as a byproduct.

Reaction Mechanism:
1. Protonation of Glycosidic Bond: The mineral acid donates a proton (H+) to the glycosidic bond, leading to the formation of an oxonium ion intermediate.
2. Cleavage of Glycosidic Bond: The oxonium ion intermediate is unstable and undergoes cleavage, resulting in the formation of two separate glucose molecules.
3. Acidic Hydrolysis: The mineral acid also provides the acidic environment necessary for the hydrolysis reaction to proceed efficiently.

Product of Hydrolysis:
The product of the hydrolysis reaction is glucose. Glucose is a monosaccharide and the simplest form of sugar. It is a hexose sugar with six carbon atoms arranged in a ring structure. The hydrolysis of starch breaks down the larger starch molecules into individual glucose molecules.

Other Options:
a) Fructose: Fructose is another monosaccharide but is not the product of starch hydrolysis. It is commonly found in fruits and honey.
c) Maltose: Maltose is a disaccharide composed of two glucose units linked together. It is not the direct product of starch hydrolysis, but it can be formed as an intermediate during the complete hydrolysis of starch.
d) Sucrose: Sucrose is a disaccharide composed of glucose and fructose units linked together. It is not the product of starch hydrolysis.

Conclusion:
In the presence of mineral acids, starch undergoes hydrolysis to form glucose. The mineral acid acts as a catalyst and provides the necessary conditions for the breakdown of the glycosidic bonds in starch. This hydrolysis reaction is an important step in the digestion and metabolism of starch in living organisms.