Under acid hydrolysis conditions, starch is converted primarily into maltose and glucose. This process involves breaking down the complex carbohydrate structure of starch into simpler sugars.
Starch is a polysaccharide made up of numerous glucose units linked together. When acid is introduced and heat is applied, the hydrolysis reaction occurs. Acid serves to cleave the glycosidic bonds between glucose monomers, resulting in smaller carbohydrate molecules.
The hydrolysis of starch will typically yield maltose, which is a disaccharide consisting of two glucose units, as well as free glucose molecules. The extent of hydrolysis and the proportions of these products depend on the concentration of acid and the duration of hydrolysis.
This conversion process is significant in various industries, including food and biofuel production, where starch sources like corn or potatoes are utilized to create sweeteners and fermentable sugars.