WAEC - Chemistry (2001 - No. 32)
Sugars can be hydrolyzed at room temperature by the action of
mineral acids
strong bases
enzymes
oxidants
Uitleg
Simple sugar molecules (monosaccharide ) when combined to form larger molecules (dissacharides or polysaccharides) is called condensation , water molecules is generated in the process, the reverse process is known as hydrolysis. sugar can be hydrolyszed at room temperature by the action of enzymes.
Sugars can be hydrolyzed by the action of enzymes:
- Invertase: Hydrolyzes sucrose (table sugar) into glucose and fructose. Yeast normally secretes this enzyme.
- Lactase: Hydrolyzes lactose in milk. Many adults do not produce lactase and cannot digest lactose.