In this lab investigation, students will measure the carbohydrate contents of biomass types as percentages of total mass. Additionally, students will determine the ratio of water soluble to water insoluble carbohydrates.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion, students will be able to:
- Quantify simple sugar concentrations in their acid hydrolyzed and hot water extraction samples using a colorimetric method
- Utilize this reaction and Beer’s Law to create a standard absorbance curve with a standard glucose solution
| Download the Full Package |
Concepts/Skills
Energy Content, Colorimetric Analysis, Biochemical Composition, Hyrdolysis
Prior Knowledge
Spreadsheet skills, basic chemistry concepts (molarity, percent yield, etc.)
Time Required
Two 180-minute sessions
Required Supplies
Biomass samples, sulfuric acid, analytical balance, bench-top autoclave, pipet, Erlenmeyer flasks, beaker, graduated cylinder, volumetric flasks, filter flask, Buchner funnel, filter paper, vacuum nozzles/pumps, vacuum hosing, aluminum foil, wash bottles, spatulas, parafilm, crushed ice, hot plates, centrifuge, vortex mixer, test tubes, thermometer, stir rods, ice bucket, markers, rubber bands, acid hydrolysis sample, ethanol extraction samples, Phenol, glucose, fume hood, UV/Vis spectrophotometer, cuvettes, safety gloves, kim wipes