MadSci Network: Biochemistry |
The test for sugar composition that is commonly used in the sugar industry is called Lane Eynon. But unfortunately for you it tests for reducing sugars only (first you test for reducing sugars in the sample, then you invert the sucrose components in the sample to reducing sugars and test the entire sample for reducing sugar total. You then take that number and subtract it from your original reading for reducing sugar and by difference we get sucrose). The other test we sometimes use is High Performance Liquid Chromotography (HPLC). There are columns, used in conjuction with RI detectors, that can read quantatively sugars (sucrose, maltose, maltotriose, glucose, and fructose). This is probably your easiest and most accurate bet. There are other analysis for sugars, such as the use of a polorimeter, but they follow the same format as Lane Eynon.
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