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BIO NMDCAT Carbohydrates
nmdcat.online June 27, 2026

The biochemical basis of the common sweetener “high-fructose corn syrup” (HFCS) is the industrial enzymatic conversion of some glucose derived from corn starch into fructose. The resulting syrup is sweeter than sucrose because

A. Fructose has a lower molecular weight than sucrose
B. Free fructose binds with a higher affinity to the sweet taste receptor than when it is part of the disaccharide sucrose
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C. The HFCS contains a catalyst that enhances sweetness
D. The processing adds artificial sweeteners to the glucose syrup

📝 Explanation

Fructose in its free, furanose form is the sweetest of all natural sugars. In HFCS-55 (55% fructose, 45% glucose), the free fructose is immediately available to bind to the sweet receptor, whereas in sucrose, fructose is glycosidically linked and must first be hydrolyzed.

📖 Additional Information

  • Fructose has a lower molecular weight than sucrose
  • Free fructose binds with a higher affinity to the sweet taste receptor than when it is part of the disaccharide sucrose
  • The HFCS contains a catalyst that enhances sweetness
  • The processing adds artificial sweeteners to the glucose syrup

Fructose in its free, furanose form is the sweetest of all natural sugars. In HFCS-55 (55% fructose, 45% glucose), the free fructose is immediately available to bind to the sweet receptor, whereas in sucrose, fructose is glycosidically linked and must first be hydrolyzed.

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