Name: Anelle Brown

Date: October 24, 2023.

Lab#: 5
Title: Carbohydrates
Problem Statement: Several publications have indicated that sugar free chewing gum have
anti-carcinogenic effects that facilitates weight control and are better for dental health
compared to the alternative. Adulteration of these gums is a concern for those hoping to
obtain its benefits. Xylitol is used as the alternative to monosaccharides (fructose, glucose
and galactose) and disaccharides (sucrose, lactose and maltose) being used as sweeteners.
Your company, Gummy Bites has been one of those accused of adulteration. The consumers
have been unable to identify any significant difference between your sugar-free and the
regular chewing gum.
Hypothesis: If Gummy Bites' sugar-free chewing gums contain xylitol as the sweetener, there
will be a significant difference in content, especially in the absence of monosaccharides
(fructose, glucose, and galactose) and disaccharides (sucrose, lactose, and maltose), which are
sugars known to be present in regular chewing gum.

Aim: To investigate and compare the sugar content in sugar-free and regular chewing gums
to determine if there are significant differences that validate the authenticity of Gummy Bites'
sugar-free chewing gums.

Apparatus & Materials: Gummy Bites Sugar-free chewing gum, Regular chewing gum e.g.
Juicy Fruit, Distilled water, Test tubes, Water Bath, Benedict’s Solution, Dilute Hydrochloric
Acid, Sodium Oxide, Mortar and Pestle, Filter and Funnel, Stopwatch, Measuring Cylinder

Method:
1. Place About 2cm of glucose (0.1)% standard solution into a test tube and label test
tube as test tube 1
2. Conduct Both benedict reducing and non-reducing sugar test on tube 1.
3. Observe colour change and precipitate formed and tabulate results into table, uses
this as a standard reference.
4. Repeat 1-4 steps for other standard glucose solutions (0.01, 0.015, 0.02)%.
5. Obtain samples of both chewing gums.
6. Label the test tubes as A "Sugar-Free Gum" and B for "Regular Gum".

7. Crush a sample of each chewing gum type separately into fine particles using a
mortar and pestle.

8. Weigh equal 1 gram of each crushed chewing gum sample and transfer them into
their respective labeled test tubes.

9. Add 10 cm3 of distilled water to each test tube to create a solution

10. Mix each solution thoroughly until the chewing gum particles are completely
dissolved.
 11. Conduct a Benedict's Reducing Sugar Test and Benedicts test for Non-Reducing
Sugar on sugar-free gum sample.

12. Repeat steps 7-11 on the regular chewing gum sample.

13. Compare result to standard (0.01, 0.015, 0.02) % glucose concentration results in
the table.

Benedict's Reducing Sugar Test :

1. Measure 2cm3 of each chewing gum sample using a measuring cylinder.

2. Mix 2cm3 of each chewing gum sample with 2 cm3 of Benedict's solution.
3. Place the test tubes in a water bath for 5 minutes.
4. Observe color changes and record them in a table.
5. Repeat steps 1-4 for each sample.

Benedicts test for Non-Reducing Sugar:

1. Add a 2 cm3 drops of dilute HCL to 2cm' of chewing gum sample in a test tube.
2. Place each test tube into a water bath for approximately 3 minutes.
3. Remove the test tubes from the water bath and add a few drops of NaOH.
4. Add 2cm3 of Benedict’s solution to the test tube and place the test tubes back into
the water bath for 5 minutes.
5. Record observations in a table.
6. Repeat steps 1-5 for each sample.

Variables:
Controlled – Volume of chewing gum solution used
Manipulated – Type of chewing gum
Responding – Color change observed

Expected Results: Regular chewing gum will have a higher amount of glucose but a lower
amount of non reducing sugar content than Sugar free chewing gum. For the Benedict’s test
for reducing sugar, regular chewing gum (Juicy Fruit) will have a positive result showing a
large glucose content. While Gummy Bites' sugar-free chewing gum produces a negative
result, suggesting that no glucose is present. For the non-reducing sugar test, regular chewing
gum will produce a good result but with fewer non-reducing sugars. While sugar-free
chewing gum will produce a negative result, suggesting that there are no non-reducing
sugars.
Interpretation: We expect these results since Gummy Bites’ claims their sugar free gum uses
Xylitol as a replacement for sugar
Precautions:
1. Ensure all samples are tested for the specified amount of time to reduce variation
2. Store both chewing gum samples in appropriate conditions to prevent contamination.
Limitations:
1. It is possible for Gummy Bites’ to issue their product that does not contain sugar in
order to get a negative result to refute the claims.