JCE Online Journal of Chemical EducationDivision of Chemical Education, American Chemical SocietyAmerican Chemical Society
 | Subscriptions  | Software Orders  | Support  | Contributors  | Advertisers  | 

JCE Print

JCE Digital Library

JCE Software

Only@JCE Online

About JCE


  Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues > 2008  > August  >
In the Laboratory
Simple Potentiometric Determination of Reducing Sugars
Henry Moresco and Pedro Sansón
Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of the Republic, CP 11800 Montevideo, Uruguay

Gustavo Seoane
Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of the Republic, CP 11800 Montevideo, Uruguay

Cover
August 2008
Vol. 85 No. 8
p. 1091

Abstract
In this article a potentiometric method for reducing sugar quantification is described. Copper(II) ion reacts with the reducing sugar (glucose, fructose, and others), and the excess is quantified using a copper wire indicator electrode. In order to accelerate the kinetics of the reaction, working conditions such as pH and temperature must be adjusted. However, a good relationship of mass of reducing sugar to potential was reached. Some of the advantages of the method are its simplicity, low cost, and that can be carried out even in colored and turbid samples. The analysis is safer than the standard Lane–Eynon method for determination of reducing sugars. To our knowledge, the use of a simple copper wire as electrode has not been reported previously for this type of determination, leading to a simplification of the experimental equipment.
Supplement
Student handouts; Instructor notes
*
Download
Contents
More Information
*
Citation
Moresco, Henry; Sanson, Pedro; Seoane, Gustavo. J. Chem. Educ. 2008, 85, 1091.
*
Keywords
Analytical Chemistry; Carbohydrates; Hands-On Learning / Manipulatives; Laboratory Instruction; Organic Chemistry; Potentiometry; Quantitative Analysis; Second-Year Undergraduate
*
History
Created:
Last Updated:
6/23/2008
7/2/2008
 Caution! 
Experiments, laboratory exercises, lecture demonstrations, and other descriptions of the use of chemicals, apparatus, instruments, computers, and computer interfaces are presented in the Journal of Chemical Education as illustrative of new or improved ideas or concepts in chemistry instruction and are directed at qualified teachers. Although every effort is made to assure and encourage safe practices and safe use of chemicals, the Journal of Chemical Education cannot assume responsibility for uses made of its published materials. Many chemicals are hazardous. Precautions for the safe use of hazardous chemicals and directions for their proper disposal are described in the Material Safety Data Sheets and on the labels. We strongly urge all those planning to use materials from our pages to make choices and to develop procedures for laboratory and classroom safety in accordance with local needs and situations.
  Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues > 2008  > August  > Page 1091


Subscriptions

JCE HS CLIC

Our Secondary School editors work hard to distill all the JCE materials to produce a fraction of particular interest to high school teachers. We call it CLIC.


Contributions Welcome
JCE welcomes your submission

Advertisers
In recent years we have worked hard to better match our advertisers with our readers. When shopping for chemistry education materials, visit our advertisers' WWW sites first.

Be An Ambassador
Take JCE along on your outreach missions. Copies of the Journal, guest access to JCE Online, our publications catalog, and more are available for your participants.