Liquid glucose

Glucose, a simple sugar or monosaccharide, is an important source of energy and for metabolic reactions in living beings. It is the end product of carbohydrate digestion, and is carried by the blood to the different cells of the body in order to release energy through oxidation.

Liquid glucose, also known as glucose syrup, is a form of glucose derived from corn starch. It is a kind of sweet-tasting, viscous syrup that appears to be yellowish or colorless in color. Many people use the words ‘corn syrup’ and ‘liquid glucose’ interchangeably. Although they are both derived from corn starch, they are apparently not the same thing. The major difference between them is that corn syrup is made of a complex sugar, while liquid glucose is a simple sugar. Liquid glucose is usually formed by the partial hydrolysis of starch slurry with the help of an enzyme or an acid.

Liquid glucose has a number of chemical properties, including fermentability, viscosity, humidity, cohesiveness, foam stabilization, and colligative properties. And amongst them, one of the most useful properties is its ability to prevent the crystallization of sugar. It is this property of liquid glucose that makes it an ideal ingredient for baking and cooking purposes.

Liquid glucose is used in a number of cooking recipes today. Some of these recipes are for jams, jellies, frostings, candies, frozen desserts, cakes and other confectionary items. It has a very low freezing point, and thus is ideal for use in the manufacture of ice creams. However, apart from its use in cooking, liquid glucose can also perform a number of other functions.

Liquid glucose can be used in the chemical industry as a raw material to produce citric, kojic and gluconic acid. Liquid glucose is also used in pharmacy as a granulating agent, as a coating for tablets, and also as sweeteners in tonics and cough syrups. Furthermore, it can be used in the manufacturing of tobacco to cure and impart the flavor in tobacco. In the tanning industry, liquid glucose is used to improve the flexibility of leather, and is also added in shoe polish in order to prevent the polish from caking, and to enable it to provide a shinier polish to leather products.

Liquid glucose is used as a medication for diabetic patients who have very low blood sugar level. It can raise the blood sugar immediately, and is easy to administer through an injection, or by the mouth.

Liquid glucose can be bought in the form of liquid (like corn syrup); however, it can also be made from powdered glucose by adding water and stirring continuously. Liquid glucose is also available in the market, but may not be found in all food or drugstores. Most of these liquids are suitable for vegetarians, and do not impose allergic reactions. Prices vary according to the content and brand values.

If one cannot find liquid glucose for a cooking recipe, it can be substituted by corn syrup, or concentrated sugar syrup.

Liquid glucose is a pure and concentrated form of glucose. It is a very helpful on-the-spot remedy for diabetic patients suffering from hypoglycemia. A dash of liquid glucose in lemonade, for example, can instantly boost energy, and help to relive tiredness and fatigue. The popularity of liquid glucose in cooking is increasing day by day. A number of recipes now use liquid glucose as a substitute for sugar. However, excessive administration of liquid glucose can be harmful as it may raise sugar level in the blood, causing health problems. When used in cooking, it should be used sparingly as a little goes a long way.

Last updated on Sep 12th, 2010 and filed under Health Supplements. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

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