Question

Write short notes on reducing and non-reducing sugars.

Answer 1

Hint: Carbohydrates are very essential for our body as it a source of energy for our body. They are termed as carbohydrates as they are made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen at their chemical level. Carbohydrates are essential nutrients and have sugars, fibers, and starches.

Complete answer:
Carbohydrates are also called sugars and these are mainly classified into two types known by the name reducing and non-reducing sugars which are defined as follows:
Reducing sugars: These are carbohydrates whose structure consists of an aldehyde or a hemiacetal in equilibrium with an aldehyde. This aldehyde group can be oxidized with the help reduction of the oxidizing agent. Aldehydes and keto groups have reduced character in this which reduces Tollens reagent and Fehling’s solution. Carbohydrates containing free aldehyde and ketone functional groups are thus termed as reducing sugars. The main example of reducing sugar is Glucose, lactose.
Non-reducing sugars: It is a carbohydrate which can-not be oxidized by a weak oxidizing agent like tollen’s reagent in basic aqueous solution. The main property of non-reducing sugars is that in a basic aqueous medium they do not generate any compounds which contain an aldehyde group. If the groups are not free then they do not reduce Tollens reagent and Fehling’s solution and due to this these are classified as Non-reducing sugars. The main examples are Sucrose, trehalose.

Note:
In simple carbohydrates molecules are digested and converted quickly which results in a rise of sugar level in blood. The most common resources of carbohydrates are milk products, beer, fruits, refined sugars, candies, etc.