Answer :
Final answer:
High-fructose corn syrup is composed of fructose and glucose in an approximate ratio of 50:50. It is widely used as a sweetening agent in food production but has been linked to health concerns like obesity.
Explanation:
High-fructose corn syrup is composed of fructose and glucose in an approximate ratio of 50:50. High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is a major sweetening agent in various food products, formed by processing corn starch. It includes roughly equal parts of fructose and glucose/dextrose, where dextrose is chemically identical to glucose. HFCS is utilized extensively in food production for its sweetening capabilities, aid in texture softening, volume addition, prevention of sugar crystallization, and flavor enhancement. The sweetness level of glucose/dextrose is approximately three-quarters that of sugar.
Despite the advantages in food production, the use of HFCS has been linked to health concerns, including obesity. This has led to a debate about its safety and effect on human health. However, the basic composition of HFCS, being about half fructose and half glucose, is a critical fact in understanding its properties and usage in the food industry.
Final answer:
High-fructose corn syrup is a 50:50 mixture of fructose and glucose. Fructose in HFCS is sweet and exists in different forms, while glucose adds volume and texture to foods. The answer is A.
Explanation:
High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is composed of fructose and glucose in an approximate ratio of 50:50. Fructose, which exists as an equilibrium mixture of 70% ß-fructopyranose and 23% ß-fructofuranose, is in HFCS and responsible for its sweetness. Glucose, chemically identical to dextrose, also makes up half of HFCS, providing volume and preventing sugar crystallization in foods. The answer is A.
