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What Are Carbohydrates?
Carbohydrates are sugar molecules that are classified by their structures. They are essential for metabolic functions in the body.
Glucose
Glucose is the primary energy source used by humans and is often called “blood sugar”. This sugar is the simplest form of carbohydrate because it contains one sugar molecule. Glucose in the body comes from food being broken down and then is released into the blood. This type of sugar is present naturally in foods or can be added artificially. Glucose is available in OTC tablets to treat people for hypoglycemia and other blood sugar conditions.
Fructose
Fructose is a natural sugar found in fruits and vegetables. Fructose is like glucose in that it is metabolized in the body; however, fructose is only metabolized in the liver, whereas glucose occurs throughout the body. Despite this, metabolism of fructose still generates the same energy as glucose. Fructose is commonly found in many food products in its natural form and as high fructose corn syrup. The FDA states that high fructose corn syrup is generally safe for consumption; however, its use is limited in other countries.
Lactose
Lactose is a sugar found in dairy products that require the enzyme lactase to be broken down. Lactose is commonly used as a filler or diluent in OTC medications and prescription medications. Due to the small amount that is used, the FDA requires lactose content be less than 60% in medications; this typically does not cause issues for people with a lactose allergy. Ion chromatography (IC) can be used to determine how much lactose is present in samples.
Maltose
Maltose is a disaccharide made up of two glucose units and is produced when grains and fruits are broken down. This sugar is also naturally produced in the body, specifically in the salivary glands and the pancreas. It is commonly used as a food sweetener and as a fermenting sugar for brewing ethanol. It is also often used in frozen foods and hard candies because it can tolerate a wide range of temperatures.
Dextrose
Dextrose is a simple sugar that is chemically identical to glucose. This sugar naturally occurs in corn or wheat. It is sold as an OTC gel to treat people with low blood sugar conditions. Dextrose is also used in many food and drink products as a sweetener. There are not any current limits by the FDA on the amount of dextrose that can be used in a product. Ion chromatography can be used to detect the amount of dextrose in a sample.
Consumer products that commonly contain carbohydrates
- Exfoliating scrubs
- Moisturizers
- Lip balms
- Hair treatments
- Cleansing milks
Instruments used to detect, measure, and analyze carbohydrates and sugars in consumer products
- HPLC with Refractive Index Detector (RID) or Pulsed Amperometric Detection (PAD)
- Gas Chromatography after derivatization
- Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy for structural analysis
Testing carbohydrates and sugars with Microchem
Microchem tests personal care products, OTC drugs, and dietary supplements for the strength and purity of sugars and carbohydrates. Contact the lab today for a free consultation or quote.
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