Quick Review!

Difference between aldehyde and ketone.

What is reducing sugar?

- It is a sugar that serves as a reducing agent due to its free aldehyde or ketone functional
groups in its molecular structure.
- Examples of reducing sugars are:
o Glucose (monosaccharide)
o Fructose (monosaccharide)
o Glyceraldehyes (monosaccharide)
o Lactose (disaccharide)
o Arabinose (monosaccharide)
o Maltose (disaccharide)
- Sucrose is a non- reducing sugar since it doesn’t have a free aldehyde or ketone group.
Therefore there’s no liberation of aldehyde and does not undergo polymerization reaction.

Hemiacetal vs. acetal

Acetal is a group of atoms that is represented by a central carbon atom bonded to two –OR
groups, -R group and a –H group.
 Hemiacetal is a group of atoms composed of a central carbon atom bonded to four groups: an –
OR group, -OH group, -R group and a –H group. Hemiacetal is formed from aldehydes. If it is formed
from a ketone, then it is called a hemiketal.

MOORE’S TEST
Principle
Carbohydrates containing free aldehydes group are being liberated with the influence of
concentrated alkali in the presence of heat. This will subsequently polymerize, forming a resinous
substance.

When a solution of reducing sugar is heated with an alkali (NaOH), it turns yellowish brown,
liberating the odor of caramel. This is due to the liberation of aldehyde which subsequently polymerizes
to form a resinous substance, caramel
Reaction

Positive Result
Yellowish brown solution
Caramel odor
Example
 All monosaccharide and disaccharide (except sucrose) will give a Positive result since they are
reducing sugars
Polysaccharide and sucrose will not give a positive result because they are non-reducing sugars

BARFOED’S TEST
Principle
Barfoed reagent is made up of copper acetate in a diluted solution of acetic acid. Since acidic pH
is unfavorable for reduction, monosaccharides, which are strong reducing agents, react in about 1-2
minutes. Reducing disaccharides will take longer to react, about 7-8 minutes. Once the reaction takes
place, thin red precipitate forms at the bottom of the test tube.
The difference in the time of appearance of precipitate helps distinguish reducing monosaccharide
from reducing saccharide.
Reaction
(CH3COO)2Cu  +   2H2O         →         2CH3COOH  + Cu(OH)2
Cu(OH)2       →         CuO + H2O
D-glucose + 2CuO        →        D-gluconic acid +   Cu2O

Positive Result
Red precipitate at the bottom of the test tube
Example
Glucose a reducing monosaccharide will give a positive result
Sucrose will not give a positive result since it is a non-reducing disaccharide.