Chemistry: Glucose and Sports Drinks
Determination of Sugars in Sports Drinks: A Spectrophotometric Analysis
By: Crystle Culling Student Number: 2686923 Class: Tuesday 12pm (odd weeks)
Page | 1
1015MSC Lab Report
Crystle Culling 2686923
Abstract
The concentration of sugars in two well-known sports drinks, Powerade and Gatorade, were determined by monitoring an enzyme-catalysed reaction sequence involving the appearance of NADPH. Sucrose and glucose concentrations were calculated from the concentration of NADPH formed by the reaction of glucose-6-phosphate and NADP+. Spectrophotometric absorbance readings were taken at 340nm, this is because NADPH absorbs strongly at this wavelength, whilst NADP+ does not (1015MSC, 2010). The concentration of glucose and sucrose in Powerade was found to be 0.43g/100mL and 7.36g/100mL, whereas the concentration of glucose and sucrose in Gatorade was found to be 0.94g/100mL and 7.09g/100mL respectively.
Introduction
Sports drinks such as Gatorade and Powerade have exploded onto the market with a growing popularity and high demand with consumers believing it to be a smarter alternative to water, and a healthier alternative to soft drinks. Debate over any benefits of such drinks has been in the media just as long as they’ve been on the shelves. An investigation into the sugar concentrations would allow health professionals to accurately assess the health consequences and make recommendations to the public regarding consumption. The use of enzyme-catalysed reactions followed by absorbance spectrophotometry can be successfully used to monitor reactions which involve either the appearance or disappearance of cofactors. NADPH absorbs ultraviolet light at a wavelength of 340nm, whereas NADP+ does not. This NADPH cofactor is released when glucose-6-phosphate reacts with NADP+ in the presence of an enzyme such as glucose-6phosphate dehydrogenase. This relationship between the concentration of this important cofactor and the concentration of sucrose and glucose ultimately
By: Crystle Culling Student Number: 2686923 Class: Tuesday 12pm (odd weeks)
Page | 1
1015MSC Lab Report
Crystle Culling 2686923
Abstract
The concentration of sugars in two well-known sports drinks, Powerade and Gatorade, were determined by monitoring an enzyme-catalysed reaction sequence involving the appearance of NADPH. Sucrose and glucose concentrations were calculated from the concentration of NADPH formed by the reaction of glucose-6-phosphate and NADP+. Spectrophotometric absorbance readings were taken at 340nm, this is because NADPH absorbs strongly at this wavelength, whilst NADP+ does not (1015MSC, 2010). The concentration of glucose and sucrose in Powerade was found to be 0.43g/100mL and 7.36g/100mL, whereas the concentration of glucose and sucrose in Gatorade was found to be 0.94g/100mL and 7.09g/100mL respectively.
Introduction
Sports drinks such as Gatorade and Powerade have exploded onto the market with a growing popularity and high demand with consumers believing it to be a smarter alternative to water, and a healthier alternative to soft drinks. Debate over any benefits of such drinks has been in the media just as long as they’ve been on the shelves. An investigation into the sugar concentrations would allow health professionals to accurately assess the health consequences and make recommendations to the public regarding consumption. The use of enzyme-catalysed reactions followed by absorbance spectrophotometry can be successfully used to monitor reactions which involve either the appearance or disappearance of cofactors. NADPH absorbs ultraviolet light at a wavelength of 340nm, whereas NADP+ does not. This NADPH cofactor is released when glucose-6-phosphate reacts with NADP+ in the presence of an enzyme such as glucose-6phosphate dehydrogenase. This relationship between the concentration of this important cofactor and the concentration of sucrose and glucose ultimately
References: 1015MSC Chemistry of Biological Systems II 2010 Laboratory Manual Lemonick, M. D. (2006). The sports-drink wars. Time International (Canada Edition), 168: 9 Murphy, D. (2004). Water vs. sports drinks. Current Health 2, 30: 8, p18 Nutrition Labels Initiative. (2010). Viewed November 3 2010, http://www.nutritionlabels.com.au/howtoreadnutritionlabels/daily-intake.aspx Powerade. (2010) Viewed November 1 2010, http://www.powerade.com.au/Products/PoweradeIsotonic.aspx Sawyer, P. (2005) Sports drinks trial finds high levels of tooth erosion. British Dental Journal, 198:6, p325. Page | 8