HFCS, Synthesis, Uses and Effects on Human Health

1. High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS)
Cansu Dikmen
ChBE 204 Bioorganic Chemistry
Department of Chemical Engineering / Yeditepe University
What is HFCS?
References
Synthesis of HFCS Uses Effects on Human Health
High-fructose corn syrup
is a common sweetener in
sodas and fruit-flavored
drinks. Research has shown
that high-fructose corn syrup
is chemically similar to table
sugar. High-fructose corn
syrup is a mixture of glucose
and fructose.
Glucose syrup produced
is then passed through an
immobilized column of
glucose isomerase where
glucose is isomerized to
fructose to yield HFCS,
primarily HFCS-90 which is
then blended with glucose
syrup to produce HFCS-55
and HFCS-42.
Fructose & Glucose
Some foods and drinks
that include HFSC
HFCS is present in numerous
products including pastries; biscuits,
breads, cookies, and shortcakes; soft
drinks; juice drinks; carbonated drinks;
jams and jellies; dairy products
including ice creams, flavored milks,
eggnog, yogurts and frozen desserts;
canned ready to eat foods including
sauces and condiments; cereals and
cereal bars and many other processed
foods.
1. Mayo Clinic, Health, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Nelson K.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/high-fructose-corn-
syrup/AN01588
2. Food Insight, International Food Information Council
Foundation, 2009
http://www.foodinsight.org/Resources/Detail.aspx?topic=Que
stions_and_Answers_About_Fructose
3. Academic Journals, Biotechnology and Molecular Biology
Reviews, Parker K., 2010
http://www.academicjournals.org/bmbr/PDF/Pdf2010/Dec/Pa
rker%20et%20al.pdf
Amylose and Amylopectin are the
two components of starch.
The production of glucose syrup
from corn starch is dependent on the
activity of various amylases and
glucoamylase, heat and chemicals
such as caustic soda and hydrochloric
acid.