What are reducing and non reducing sugars

Reducing and non-reducing sugars are types of carbohydrates.

1. Reducing Sugars: These are sugars that have the ability to act as a reducing agent because they have a free aldehyde group or a free ketone group. The presence of these free groups allows the sugar to donate electrons to another molecule, hence the term "reducing sugar". Examples of reducing sugars include glucose, fructose, lactose, and maltose.

2. Non-Reducing Sugars: These are sugars that do not have a free aldehyde or ketone group and therefore cannot act as reducing agents. They do not have the ability to donate electrons to another molecule. An example of a non-reducing sugar is sucrose.

The difference between reducing and non-reducing sugars can be tested using Benedict's solution. Reducing sugars will turn the solution from blue to orange or red when heated, indicating the presence of a reducing sugar. Non-reducing sugars will not change the color of the solution.