Bio-mimic conversion of Maida (polysaccharides) to reducing sugars by acid hydrolysis and its estimation using standard methods

Maida flour is highly refined wheat flour. after the wheat is ground in a roller mill (Chakki), the same is filtered through a fine mesh (600 meshes per square inch) to obtain maida. Maida is a lignocellulosic source that can be converted to reducing sugars. The hydrolysis of maida is carried out using (2M) Sulphuric acid and (2M) hydrochloric acid in a hotplate, equipped with a temperature controller, and continuously shaken during the operation. (i) By varying the concentration of 2M acids ranging as below, where time 60 min and temperature 75°C are kept as constant. (ii) By varying the time 30,60,90 min respectively keeping 75°C and concentration at the ratio of 2M acids (15 mL/100 mL) distilled water as constant. It was observed that the degradation has significant effects with respect to the amount of polysaccharide present and in turn the sugar yield is around 40-50% each which is estimated by Bertrand’s, Benedict’s and Fehling methods respectively. The quantitative values are tabulated and their values are plotted. Beyond the mentioned conditions charring occurs.