Question

What is the definition of maltose?

Answer 1

Maltose:

1. It comes under oligosaccharides carbohydrate because it is formed by the two molecules of glucose.
2. This is free from a functional group such as the aldehydic or ketonic groups.

Detailed descriptions are given below:

1. It is composed of two $\mathrm{\alpha }-\mathrm{D}-\mathrm{glucose}$ units which are connected to each other by carbon 1 of the first unit and carbon 4 of the second unit.
2. The free aldehyde group is produced at carbon 1 of the second glucose unit in the solution which reduces indicates that it is a reducing sugar.
3. The enzyme that converts maltose to glucose through catalysis hydrolysis is known as maltase.
   $$\begin{gathered} {\mathrm{C}}_{12}{\mathrm{H}}_{22}{\mathrm{O}}_{11}\stackrel{\mathrm{Maltase}}{\to }2{\mathrm{C}}_6{\mathrm{H}}_{12}{\mathrm{O}}_6 \\ \mathrm{Maltose}\mathrm{Glucose} \end{gathered}$$

Figure: Formation of maltose.