What is sucrose?

Sucrose is a type of sugar that is commonly found in plants, particularly in sugar cane and sugar beets. It is a disaccharide composed of glucose and fructose molecules bonded together. Sucrose is often used as a sweetener in food and beverages.

Sucrose, commonly known as table sugar, is a type of carbohydrate that belongs to the group of disaccharides.

Structure:

Sucrose is composed of two monosaccharides: glucose and fructose. The glucose and fructose molecules are linked together by a glycosidic bond.

Properties:

- Sweetener: Sucrose is a natural sweetener and is widely used in food and beverages.
- Solubility: It is highly soluble in water.
- Hygroscopic: Sucrose can absorb moisture from the air, which makes it important to store it in airtight containers.
- Non-reducing sugar: Sucrose does not contain a free reducing group (aldehyde or ketone), unlike monosaccharides like glucose.
- Calorie content: Sucrose provides approximately 4 calories per gram.

Sources:

Sucrose is naturally found in many plants, including:

- Sugarcane
- Sugar beets
- Dates
- Pineapples
- Honey

Uses:

Sucrose has various uses, including:

- As a sweetener in food and beverages
- In baked goods and desserts
- As a preservative in some foods and drinks
- In medicines and pharmaceuticals
- In cosmetics and personal care products