Question

In high fructose corn syrup production, the enzyme used for the conversion of glucose to fructose is:

• A. \(\text{Isomerase}\)
• B. \(\text{Invertase}\)
• C. \(\text{Amylase}\)
• D. \(\text{Epimerase}\)

Hint:

Glucose isomerase is the key enzyme used to convert glucose into fructose in the production of HFCS.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding enzymatic conversion.
- In high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) production, glucose isomerase is the enzyme that converts glucose to fructose.
- This enzymatic reaction is the key step in producing HFCS, which has higher sweetness than regular corn syrup.
Step 2: Explanation of incorrect options.
- Invertase (B): This enzyme breaks down sucrose into glucose and fructose, not glucose to fructose.
- Amylase (C): Breaks down starch into glucose, not involved in the conversion to fructose.
- Epimerase (D): This enzyme changes the configuration of molecules, but it does not specifically convert glucose to fructose.
Step 3: Selecting the correct option. Since glucose isomerase is responsible for glucose-to-fructose conversion, the correct answer is (A) Isomerase.