Difference between revisions of "Corn syrup" - New World Encyclopedia

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'''Corn syrup''' is any of variety of forms [[syrup]] (thick, viscous liquid, containing a large amount of dissolved sugars, with little tendency to deposit crystals) made using [[corn]] [[starch]] as a feedstock, and composed mainly of [[glucose]]. Corn syrup is a natural sweetener used in a variety of products, which may be labelled "all natural" in the United States. It is often used to soften texture, add volume, inhibit crystallization, and enhance flavor (Knehr 2005).
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'''Corn syrup''' is any of a variety of forms of [[syrup]] (thick, viscous liquid, containing a large amount of dissolved sugars, with little tendency to deposit crystals) made using [[corn]] [[starch]] as a feedstock, and composed mainly of [[glucose]]. Corn syrup is a natural sweetener used in a variety of products, which may be labeled "all natural" in the United States. It is often used to soften texture, add volume, inhibit crystallization, and enhance flavor (Knehr 2005).
  
The varieties of sweeteners listed as corn syrup differ in the amount of glucose present, among other factors (clor, flavor additives, cloudiness, etc.). A commercial “corn syrup” may contain between 20% and 98% dextrose (glucose) (SA 2007). The more general term '''glucose syrup''' is often used synonymously with corn syrup, since glucose syrup is most commonly made from corn starch (SA 2007). Technically though, glucose syrup is any liquid starch hydrolysate of mono, di, and higher [[saccharide|saccharides]] (ISI 2006) and can be made from [[starch]] from any source, of which [[wheat]], [[rice]] and [[potato]]es are the most common sources.
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The varieties of sweeteners listed as corn syrup differ in the amount of glucose present, among other factors (color, flavor additives, cloudiness, etc.). A commercial “corn syrup” may contain between 20 percent and 98 percent dextrose (glucose) (SA 2007). The more general term '''glucose syrup''' is often used synonymously with corn syrup, since glucose syrup is most commonly made from corn starch (SA 2007). Technically though, glucose syrup is any liquid starch hydrolysate of mono, di, and higher [[saccharide|saccharides]] (ISI 2006) and can be made from [[starch]] from any source, of which [[wheat]], [[rice]], and [[potato]]es are the most common sources.
  
 
[[Corn syrup#high fructose corn syrup|High fructose corn syrup]] (HFCS) is a variant of corn syrup in which other enzymes are used to convert some of the glucose into [[fructose]]. The resulting syrup is sweeter and more soluble.
 
[[Corn syrup#high fructose corn syrup|High fructose corn syrup]] (HFCS) is a variant of corn syrup in which other enzymes are used to convert some of the glucose into [[fructose]]. The resulting syrup is sweeter and more soluble.
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Corn syrup and HFCS address an internal aspect of people, that of joy of taste. Furthermore, carbohydrates are a fundamental component needed by living organisms, providing energy for plants, animals, and microorganisms. So important are carbohydrates to human health that a panel of experts commissioned by four [[United Nations]] agencies, the [[World Health Organization]] (WHO), and the [[Food and Agriculture Organization]] (FAO) recommended that carbohydrates should represent between 55 percent and 75 percent of the energy intake of a diet (WHO 2003).
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However, commercially produced sweeteners, whether cane sugar or corn syrup, have been linked to many deleterious [[health]] consequences. For such reasons, the same panel recommended that the total of free sugars (all [[carbohydrate#monosaccharides|monosaccharides]] and [[disaccharide]]s added to foods by the manufacturer, cook, or consumer, plus sugars naturally present in honey, syrups and fruit juices) should not account for more than 10 percent of the energy intake of a healthy diet. However, people often consume an unnatural and unhealthy proportion of soft drinks and other items filled with corn syrup and HFCS, perhaps overvaluing the sensation of taste over one's state of health. A responsible lifestyle requires balance and discipline that allows one to experience the joy of creation while also promoting the natural harmony of the [[human body|body]].
  
 
==Corn syrup production and use==
 
==Corn syrup production and use==
  
''Starch'' is a complex [[carbohydrate]], specifically a [[carbohydrate#polysaccharides|polysaccharide]], that is used by [[plant]]s as a way to store [[glucose]]. After [[cellulose]], starch is the most abundant polysaccharide in plant [[cell (biology)|cells]]. In pure form, starch is insoluble in cold [[water]]. [[Animal]]s and [[plant]]s digest starch, converting it to [[glucose]] to serve as a source of energy. Starch is a major source of carbohydrates in [[human being|human]] diets,
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''Starch'' is a complex [[carbohydrate]], specifically a [[carbohydrate#polysaccharides|polysaccharide]], that is used by [[plant]]s as a way to store [[glucose]]. After [[cellulose]], [[starch]] is the most abundant polysaccharide in plant [[cell (biology)|cells]]. In pure form, starch is insoluble in cold [[water]]. [[Animal]]s and plants digest starch, converting it to glucose to serve as a source of energy. Starch is a major source of carbohydrates in [[human being|human]] diets.
  
Hydrolysis is the term used to describe the overall process where starch is converted into various sweeteners.
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Hydrolysis is the term used to describe the process where starch is converted into various sweeteners. Commercially, in the case of corn starch, this involves a series of two [[enzyme|enzymatic]] reactions to convert the [[cornstarch|corn starch]] to corn syrup (Ophardt 2003). Prior to this, the corn is processed and refined in order to separate the starch from protein and other materials, which are used for animal feed.
  
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The starch is hydrolyzed using acid, acid-enzyme, or enzyme-enzyme catalyzed processes, with the first enzyme typically alpha amylase, which produces about 10-20 percent glucose, and further treatment with the enzyme glucoamylase, which yields 93-96 percent glucose. Acid hydrolysis may involve using a weak solution of hydrochloric acid and heat to help break down the molecules of starch. The varying sweetness of the corn syrup is done according to how long the hydrolysis is allowed to proceed; the longer the hydrolysis, the sweeter the syrup.
  
A series of two [[enzyme|enzymatic]] reactions is used to convert the [[cornstarch|corn starch]] to corn syrup.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.elmhurst.edu/~chm/vchembook/548HFsyrup.html |title=The chemistry of corn syrup}}</ref>  Its major use is in commercially prepared foods as a thickener and for its moisture-retaining (humectant) properties which keep foods moist and helps to maintain freshness. It is widely used in products labeled "all natural" in the United States. Because of its mild sweetness, corn syrup may be used in conjunction with high intensity sweeteners.  
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In reality, the term corn syrup refers to a group of sweeteners that differ in the amount of dextrose (glucose) present (20 to 98 percent), and that may also have caramel flavor and coloring added (dark corn syrup) or color and cloudiness removed (light corn syrup), and so froth. When corn syrup is concentrated to the point that it has less than 10 percent water, it can be listed as “corn syrup solids” (or dried glucose syrup, or glucose syrup solids, in an ingredient statement, as long as the glucose content is at least 88 percent of the weight of the concentrated syrup (SA 2007).  
  
SA 2007 The singular term “corn syrup” is somewhat of a misnomer because it is used to identify a group of sweeteners that differ from one another simply by the amount of dextrose (glucose) present in the commercial syrup. Since only a single type of corn syrup is generally used in a food product, the term “corn syrup” is permitted in an ingredient statement. However, consumers have no idea how much glucose is contained in the particular “corn syrup” listed in an ingredient statement. A commercial “corn syrup” may contain between 20% and 98% dextrose (glucose).
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Because of its mild sweetness, corn syrup may be used in conjunction with high intensity sweeteners. Corn syrup's major use is in commercially prepared foods as a thickener and for its moisture-retaining (humectant) properties, which keep foods moist and helps to maintain freshness.  
  
When a corn syrup has been concentrated to contain less than 10% water, it can be listed as “corn syrup solids” in an ingredient statement. To qualify as “corn syrup solids,” the glucose (dextrose) content must be at least 88% of the weight of the concentrated syrup. This product can be called “dried glucose syrup” or “glucose syrup solids” in an ingredient list.
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Some foods that commonly contain corn syrup are: [[Baking]] and cooking ingredients, beverages, soft drinks, breads, breakfast cereals, breakfast pastries, candy bars, condiments, cookies and cakes, cough syrups, crackers, [[dairy]], drink mixers, frozen foods, ice creams, infant formula, [[jam|jams]] and jellies, [[syrup]]s, [[meat]]s, pastries, [[salad]] dressings, sauces, snacks, soda, and microwavable [[soup]].
  
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==High fructose corn syrup==
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'''High fructose corn syrup''' (HFCS) refers to a group of corn syrups that have undergone [[enzyme|enzymatic]] processing in order to increase the [[fructose]] content. This processing converts the dextrose (glucose) sugars into fructose sugars, which are sweeter.
  
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Typically, types of HFCS include HFCS 90 (most commonly used in baked goods), which is approximately 90 percent fructose and 10 percent glucose; HFCS 55 (most commonly used in soft drinks), which is approximately 55 percent fructose and 45 percent glucose; and HFCS 42 (most commonly used in sports drinks), which is approximately 42 percent fructose and 58 percent glucose.
  
Until recently, corn syrup sold into the retail market, eg in supermarkets, was a high glucose version. HFCS is also appearing in retail products. The largest by market in the United States is Karo Syrup, a fructose/glucose syrup.<ref>[http://karosyrup.com/faq.asp Karo Syrup] website, frequently-asked questions</ref>
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There is some controversy over the use of HFCS as a food additive. Increasingly, manufacturers are utilizing HFCS in a variety of foods such as breads, cereals, soft drinks, condiments, and so forth.
 
 
Some foods that commonly contain corn syrup are: [[baking]] and cooking [[ingredients]], [[beverages]], [[soft drinks]], breads, [[breakfast cereals]], breakfast pastries, candy bars, condiments, cookies and cakes, cough syrups, [[crackers]], [[dairy]], drink mixers, frozen foods, ice creams, [[infant formula]], [[jam|jams]] and [[jam|jellies]], [[syrups]], [[meats]], [[pastries]], [[salad]] dressings, [[sauces]], [[snacks]], [[soda]], and microwavable [[soup]].
 
 
 
==High fructose corn syrup==
 
'''High fructose corn syrup''' (HFCS) refers to a group of [[corn syrup]]s which have undergone [[enzymatic]] processing in order to increase their [[fructose]] content and are then mixed with pure corn syrup (100% [[glucose]]) to reach their final form.  The typical types of HFCS are: HFCS 90 (most commonly used in baked goods) which is approximately 90% fructose and 10% glucose; HFCS 55 (most commonly used in soft drinks) which is approximately 55% fructose and 45% glucose; and HFCS 42 (most commonly used in sports drinks) which is approximately 42% fructose and 58% glucose.
 
 
 
There is some controversy over the use of HFCS as a food additive. Increasingly, manufacturers are utilizing HFCS in a variety of foods such as breads, cereals, soft drinks, condiments, etc.
 
  
The process by which HFCS is produced was first developed by Richard O. Marshall and
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The process by which HFCS is produced was first developed by Richard O. Marshall and Earl R. Kooi in 1957 (Marshall et al. 1957), and refined by [[Japan]]ese researchers in the 1970s. HFCS was rapidly introduced in many processed foods and soft drinks in the United States over the period of about 1975–1985.
Earl R. Kooi in 1957<ref>{{cite journal | author = Marshall et al. | title = Enzymatic Conversion of d-Glucose to d-Fructose | journal = Science | year = 1957 | volume = 125 | issue = 3249 | pages = 648 | doi = 10.1126/science.125.3249.648}}</ref> and refined by [[Japan]]ese researchers in the [[1970s]]. HFCS was rapidly introduced in many processed foods and [[soft drink]]s in the [[US]] over the period of about 1975–1985.
 
  
In terms of [[sweetness]], HFCS 55 is comparable to table sugar ([[sucrose]]).<ref>http://www.hfcsfacts.com/sweetAsSugar.html</ref> This makes it useful to manufacturers as a possible substitute for sugar in soft drinks and other processed foods. HFCS 90 is sweeter than table sugar as fructose is sweeter than glucose, while HFCS 42 is not as sweet as table sugar.   
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In terms of [[sweetness]], HFCS 55 is comparable to table sugar ([[sucrose]]) (CRA 2007). This makes it useful to manufacturers as a possible substitute for sugar in soft drinks and other processed foods. HFCS 90 is sweeter than table sugar, while HFCS 42 is not as sweet as table sugar.   
  
==Use as a replacement for sugar==
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Since its introduction, HFCS has begun to replace sugar in various processed foods in the U.S.  
Since its introduction, HFCS has begun to replace sugar in various processed foods in the USA.<ref>(Bray, 2004 & U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, Sugar and Sweetener Yearbook series, Tables 50–52)</ref>
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The main reasons for this switch are (White 1992):  
The main reasons for this switch are:<ref>(White JS. 1992. Fructose syrup: production, properties and applications, in FW Schenck & RE Hebeda, eds, Starch Hydrolysis Products – Worldwide Technology, Production, and Applications. VCH Publishers, Inc. 177-200)</ref>
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* HFCS is somewhat cheaper due to the relative abundance of corn, farm subsidies, and sugar import tariffs in the United States (Pollan 2003)  
* HFCS is somewhat cheaper due to the relative abundance of corn, farm subsidies and sugar import tariffs in the United States.<ref>Pollan, M., [http://www.michaelpollan.com/article.php?id=52 The (Agri)Cultural Contradictions Of Obesity], NY Times Magazine, 12 Oct. 2003.</ref>
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* HFCS is easier to blend and transport because it is a liquid (Hanover and White 1993)
* HFCS is easier to blend and transport because it is a liquid.<ref>(Hanover LM, White JS. 1993. Manufacturing, composition, and applications of fructose. Am J Clin Nutr 58(suppl 5):724S-732S.)</ref>
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* HFCS usage leads to products with much longer shelf life
* HFCS usage leads to products with much longer shelf life.
 
  
==Comparison to other sugars==
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===Comparison of HFCS to other sugars===
===Cane sugar===
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====Cane sugar====
[[Sugarcane|Cane sugar]] is relatively pure [[sucrose]]. Sucrose is a [[disaccharide]], as opposed to glucose and fructose, which are [[monosaccharides]]. Each molecule of sucrose is composed of one unit each of [[fructose]] and [[glucose]] linked together with a relatively weak glycosidic bond. A molecule of sucrose (with a chemical formula of C<sub>12</sub>H<sub>22</sub>O<sub>11</sub>) can be broken down into a molecule of glucose (C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>12</sub>O<sub>6</sub>) plus a molecule of fructose (also C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>12</sub>O<sub>6</sub> — an [[isomer]] of glucose) in a weakly acid environment. Sucrose is broken down during [[digestion]] into fructose and glucose through [[hydrolysis]] by the enzyme [[sucrase]].
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[[Sugarcane|Cane sugar]] is relatively pure [[sucrose]]. Sucrose is a [[disaccharide]], as opposed to [[glucose]] and [[fructose]], which are [[monosaccharides]]. Each molecule of sucrose is composed of one unit each of fructose and glucose linked together with a relatively weak glycosidic bond. A molecule of sucrose (with a chemical formula of C<sub>12</sub>H<sub>22</sub>O<sub>11</sub>) can be broken down into a molecule of glucose (C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>12</sub>O<sub>6</sub>) plus a molecule of fructose (also C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>12</sub>O<sub>6</sub>. Sucrose is broken down during [[digestion]] into fructose and glucose through [[hydrolysis]] by the enzyme [[sucrase]].
  
Because sucrose can be broken down into fructose and glucose, some people say that sucrose is composed "50% glucose and 50% fructose."  This, strictly speaking, is incorrect, because the fructose and glucose in sucrose are linked together and thus it is a different molecule. On the other hand, because sucrose is broken down in weakly acidic environments by a process called inversion into its constituent monosaccharides namely fructose and glucose it is not incorrect to describe its constituents as 50% glucose and 50% fructose.  This same process occurs in the stomach and in the small intestine during the digestion of sucrose into fructose and glucose. According to two published reports (one supported by NIH and one supported by industry - [[American Beverage Institute]] and the [[Corn Refiners Association]]) sucrose is metabolized by the body like a mixture of 50% glucose and 50% fructose and no differently from HFCS [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=17234503&query_hl=17&itool=pubmed_docsum] [http://www.foodproductdesign.com/hotnews/64h1411309.html].
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Because sucrose can be broken down into fructose and glucose, some people say that sucrose is composed "50 percent glucose and 50 percent fructose."  This, strictly speaking, is incorrect, because the fructose and glucose in sucrose are linked together and thus it is a different molecule. On the other hand, because sucrose is broken down in weakly acidic environments into its constituent monosaccharides, namely fructose and glucose, it is not incorrect to describe its constituents as 50 percent glucose and 50 percent fructose.  This same process occurs in the stomach and in the small intestine during the digestion of sucrose into fructose and glucose. According to two published reports, sucrose is metabolized by the body like a mixture of 50 percent glucose and 50 percent fructose and no differently from HFCS (Melanson et al. 2007; FPD 2006).
  
HFCS 50 is chemically quite similar to cane sugar as cane sugar [[sucrose]] is made of 50% fructose and 50% glucose while HFCS 55 is made of 55% fructose and 45% glucose. Both HFCS and sucrose have approximately 4 kcal per gram of solid.
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HFCS 50 is chemically quite similar to cane sugar as cane sugar [[sucrose]] is made of 50 percent fructose and 50 percent glucose while HFCS 55 is made of 55 percent fructose and 45 percent glucose. Both HFCS and sucrose have approximately 4 kcal per gram of solid.
  
 
===Honey===
 
===Honey===
[[Honey]] is a mixture of different types of sugars, water, and small amounts of other compounds.  Honey typically has a fructose/glucose ratio similar to HFCS 55, as well as containing some sucrose and other sugars. Honey, HFCS and sucrose have the same number of calories having approximately 4 kcal per gram of solid.
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[[Honey]] is a mixture of different types of sugars, water, and small amounts of other compounds.  Honey typically has a fructose/glucose ratio similar to HFCS 55, as well as containing some sucrose and other sugars. Honey, HFCS, and sucrose have the same number of calories, having approximately 4 kcal per gram of solid.
 
 
==Production==
 
High-fructose corn syrup is produced by milling corn to produce corn starch then processing that corn starch to yield corn syrup that is almost entirely glucose, and then adding [[enzyme]]s that change the glucose into fructose.  The resulting syrup (after enzyme conversion) contains approximately 90% fructose and is HFCS 90.  To make the other common forms of HFCS (HFCS 55 and HFCS 42) the HFCS 90 is mixed with 100% glucose corn syrup in the appropriate ratios to form the desired HFCS syrup. The enzyme process that changes the 100% glucose corn syrup into HFCS 90 is as follows:
 
# [[Cornstarch]] is treated with [[Amylase|alpha-amylase]] to produce shorter chains of sugars called [[oligosaccharides]].
 
# [[Amylase|Glucoamylase]] breaks the sugar chains down even further to yield the simple sugar glucose.
 
# [[Glucose isomerase]] converts glucose to a mixture of about 42% fructose and 50–52% glucose with some other sugars mixed in.
 
While inexpensive alpha-amylase and glucoamylase are added directly to the slurry and used only once, the more costly glucose-isomerase is packed into columns and the sugar mixture is then passed over it, allowing it to be used repeatedly until it loses its activity. This 42–43% fructose glucose mixture is then subjected to a liquid [[chromatography]] step where the fructose is enriched to approximately 90%. The 90% fructose is then back-blended with 42% fructose to achieve a 55% fructose final product. Most manufacturers use carbon absorption for impurity removal. Numerous filtration, ion-exchange and evaporation steps are also part of the overall process.
 
 
 
== Measuring Concentration of HFCS ==
 
 
 
The units of measurement for sugars including HFCS are degrees Brix (symbol °Bx). [[Brix]] is a measurement of the mass ratio of dissolved sugars to water in a liquid. A 25 °Bx solution has 25 grams of HFCS per 100 grams of liquid (25% w/w). Or, to put it another way, there are 25 grams of sugar and 75 grams of water in the 100 grams of solution.  The Brix measurement was introduced by Antoine Brix.
 
 
 
When an infrared Brix sensor is used, it measures the vibrational frequency of the High Fructose Corn Syrup molecules, giving a Brix degrees measurement. This will not be the same measurement as Brix degrees using a density or refractive index measurement because it will specifically measure dissolved sugar concentration instead of all dissolved solids. When a refractometer is used, it is correct to report the result as "refractometric dried substance" (RDS). One might speak of a liquid as being 20 °Bx RDS. This is a measure of percent by weight of ''total'' dried solids and, although not technically the same as Brix degrees determined through an infrared method, renders an accurate measurement of sucrose content since the majority of dried solids are in fact sucrose.  The advent of in-line infrared Brix measurement sensors have made measuring the amount of dissolved HFCS in products economical using a direct measurement.  It also gives the possibility of a direct volume/volume measurement.
 
 
 
Recently [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=17158420&query_hl=2&itool=pubmed_docsum]an isotopic method for quantifying sweeteners derived from corn and sugar cane was developed by Jahren et al. that permits measurement of corn syrup or cane sugar derived sweeteners in humans thus allowing dietary assessment of the relative intake of these substances.
 
 
 
==Sweetener consumption patterns==
 
===In the United States===
 
[[Image:usda sweeteners.jpg|thumb|300px|right|US sweetener consumption, 1966-2004. It is apparent from this graph that overall sweetener consumption, and in particular glucose-fructose mixtures, has increased since the introduction of HFCS. Thus, the proportion of fructose as a component of overall sweetener intake in the United States has increased since the early 1980s. This would be true whether the added sweetener was HFCS, table sugar, or any other glucose-fructose mixture.]]
 
 
 
Because of a system of price supports and sugar quotas imposed since May 1982, importing sugar into the United States is prohibitively expensive, rendering high fructose corn syrup, derived from corn, more economical since the American price of sugar is artificially far higher than the global price of sugar<ref>[[Grist]] [http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2006/5/10/135951/485 ADM, high-fructose corn syrup, and ethanol]</ref> and the price of #2 corn artificially low due to both government subsidies and dumping on the market as farmers produce more corn annually.<ref> [http://www.iatp.org/iatp/factsheets.cfm?accountID=258&refID=89968 Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy]</ref><ref>[http://www.allcountries.org/uscensus/1127_corn_acreage_production_and_value_by.html Corn Production/Value]</ref> The food industry turned to HFCS as a substitute, with both [[Coca-Cola]] and [[Pepsi]] switching to HFCS in 1984.<ref>[http://www.fff.org/freedom/0498d.asp The Great Sugar Shaft]</ref>
 
 
 
The average American consumed approximately 19.2 kg of HFCS in [[2004]], versus 20 kg of sugar.{{Fact|date=February 2007}}<!-- The graph on the right shows consumption of each as being nearer 60lb, consistent with the WHO figures —> <!-- Wiki article doesn't say what the timeframe is for consumption- per day, month, year?? —> In countries where HFCS is not used or rarely used, the sugar consumption per person can be higher than the USA; for example ([[2002]]):<ref>WHO Oral Health Country/Area Profile Programme</ref>
 
* USA = 32.4 kg
 
* EU = 40.1 kg
 
* Brazil = 59.7 kg
 
* Australia = 56.2 kg
 
 
 
===International markets===
 
In the [[European Union]], the sugar price is close to the market price, and the greater availability of [[cane sugar]] over [[maize]] would make HFCS production there uneconomical. In Japan, HFCS consumption accounts for one quarter of total sweetener consumption.<ref>http://sugar.lin.go.jp/japan/data/j_html/j_1_01.htm</ref><!--Total sugar 2100 kilo ton : HFCS 700 kilo ton—>
 
 
 
==Controversy ==
 
===American farm lobby===
 
{{main article|Agricultural policy}}
 
The preference for high fructose corn syrup over [[Sugarcane|cane sugar]] amongst the vast majority of American food and beverage manufacturers is largely due to U.S. import quotas and tariffs of sugar, supported with the [[campaign finance]] courtesy of agricultural corporations. Most predominantly, the [[Archer Daniels Midland]] corporation is currently amongst the leading contributors of such campaign finance.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newsmeat.com/ceo_political_donations/G_Allen_Andreas.php|title=G Allen Andreas Federal Campaign Contribution report|publisher=[[Newsmeat.com]]|accessdate=November 28, 2006}}</ref>  Since local and federal laws often put a limit on how much money one particular [[lobbyist]] can contribute,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ncsl.org/programs/legman/about/ContribLimits.htm|title=Campaign Contribution Limits|publisher=[[National Conference of State Legislatures]]|accessdate=November 28, 2006|date=February 11, 2004}}</ref> Archer Daniels Midland's contributions are often given by numerous smaller entities under the authority of Archer Daniels Midland. This is commonly called [[bundling]] political contributions.
 
 
 
===Health effects===
 
One study concluded that pure fructose "produced significantly higher fasting plasma [[Triglyceride|triacylglycerol]] values than did the glucose diet in men" and "if plasma triacylglycerols are a risk factor for [[cardiovascular disease]], then diets high in fructose may be undesirable".<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Bantle|first=John P.|coauthors=Susan K. Raatz, William Thomas and Angeliki Georgopoulos|url=http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/full/72/5/1128|title=Effects of dietary fructose on plasma lipids in healthy subjects|
 
journal=American Journal of Clinical Nutrition|volume=72|issue=5|pages=1128-1134|month=November|year=2000 }}</ref> Bantle, ''et al.'' "noted the same effects in a study of 14 healthy volunteers who sequentially ate a high-fructose diet and one almost devoid of the sugar."<ref>http://www.enerex.ca/articles/whey_protein_and_fructose.htm</ref> It should be noted, however that these studies were on the effects of pure fructose intakes in various solutions not of HFCS.  According to research provided by Melanson et al, effects of HFCS to date mimic those of sucrose and not of pure fructose in certain individuals.
 
 
 
A study in mice suggests that fructose increases [[obesity]].<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Jurgens|first=Hella|coauthors=et al.|url=http://www.obesityresearch.org/cgi/content/abstract/13/7/1146|title=Consuming Fructose-sweetened Beverages Increases Body Adiposity in Mice|journal=Obesity Res|volume=13|pages=1146-1156|year=2005}}</ref>  However, this study looked at the effects of fructose alone.  High fructose corn syrup comes in different ratios of fructose and glucose, which are roughly the same products produced by the breakdown of sucrose (cane/table sugar) in the body.  Large quantities of fructose stimulates the liver to produce [[triglycerides]], promotes [[glycation]] of proteins and induces [[insulin resistance]]<ref>{{Cite journal | author=Faeh D, Minehira K, Schwarz JM, Periasamy R, Park S, Tappy L |url=http://diabetes.diabetesjournals.org/cgi/content/full/54/7/1907 |title=Effect of fructose overfeeding and fish oil administration on hepatic de novo lipogenesis and insulin sensitivity in healthy men|
 
journal=DIABETES |volume=54 |issue=7 |pages=1907-1913 |month=July | year=2005 | id=PMID 15983189 }}</ref>.
 
 
 
Studies that have compared HFCS to sucrose (as opposed to pure fructose) find that they have essentially identical physiological effects. For instance, Melanson et al (2006), studied the effects of HFCS and sucrose sweetened drinks on blood glucose, insulin, leptin, and ghrelin levels. They found no significant differences in any of these parameters.<ref>Melanson K et al. Eating Rate and Satiation. Obesity Society (NAASO) 2006 Annual Meeting. October 20-24, 2006, Hynes Convention Center, Boston, Massachusett </ref>
 
  
Perrigue et al (2006) compared the effects of isocaloric servings of colas sweetened HFCS 45, HFCS 55, sucrose, and aspartame on satiety and subsequent energy intake. They found that all of the drinks with caloric sweeteners produced similar satiety responses, and had the same effects on subsequent energy intake. Taken together with Melanson et al (2006), this study shows that there is little or no evidence for the hypothesis that HFCS is different from sucrose in its effects on appetite or on metabolic processes involved in fat storage. Interestingly, both the Perrigue et al study and the Melanson et al study were funded by "the [[American Beverage Institute]] and the [[Corn Refiners Association]]."<ref>http://www.eb2006-online.com/LBApdfs/600540.PDF</ref><ref>http://www.foodproductdesign.com/hotnews/64h1411309.html</ref>
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===Production===
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High-fructose corn syrup is produced by milling corn to produce corn starch, then processing that corn starch to yield corn syrup that is almost entirely glucose, and then adding [[enzyme]]s that change the glucose into fructose. The resulting syrup (after enzyme conversion) contains approximately 90 percent fructose and is HFCS 90. To make the other common forms of HFCS (HFCS 55 and HFCS 42). the HFCS 90 is mixed with 100 percent glucose corn syrup in the appropriate ratios to form the desired HFCS syrup. The enzyme process that changes the 100 percent glucose corn syrup into HFCS 90 is as follows:
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# [[Cornstarch]] is treated with [[Amylase|alpha-amylase]] to produce shorter chains of sugars called [[carbohydrate#Oligosaccharides and polysaccharides|oligosaccharide]]s
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# [[Amylase|Glucoamylase]] breaks the sugar chains down even further to yield the simple sugar glucose
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# [[Glucose isomerase]] converts glucose to a mixture of about 42 percent fructose and 50–52 percent glucose with some other sugars mixed in
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While inexpensive alpha-amylase and glucoamylase are added directly to the slurry and used only once, the more costly glucose-isomerase is packed into columns and the sugar mixture is then passed over it, allowing it to be used repeatedly until it loses its activity. This 42–43 percent fructose glucose mixture is then subjected to a liquid [[chromatography]] step where the fructose is enriched to approximately 90 percent. The 90 percent fructose is then back-blended with 42 percent fructose to achieve a 55 percent fructose final product. Most manufacturers use carbon absorption for impurity removal. Numerous filtration, ion-exchange, and evaporation steps are also part of the overall process.
  
One much-publicized recent study found an association between [[obesity]] and high HFCS consumption, especially from soft drinks.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Bray|first=George A.|coauthors=Samara Joy Nielsen and Barry M. Popkin|url=http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/full/79/4/537|title=Consumption of high-fructose corn syrup in beverages may play a role in the epidemic of obesity|
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===Controversy===
journal=American Journal of Clinical Nutrition|volume=79|issue=4|pages=537-543|month=April|year=2004}}</ref> However, this study did not  provide any evidence that this association is causal. And in fact, one of the study coauthors, Dr. Barry M. Popkin, is quoted in the New York Times (July 2, 2006, A Sweetener With a Bad Rap) warning that “I don't think there should be a perception that high-fructose corn syrup has caused obesity until we know more.” In the same article, Walter Willets, chair of the nutrition department of the Harvard School of Public Health Nutrition Department Chairman, is quoted as saying that “There's no substantial evidence to support the idea that high-fructose corn syrup is somehow responsible for obesity, [and that] If there was no high-fructose corn syrup, I don't think we would see a change in anything important.” In essence he is saying high fructose corn syrup is just as bad as other sugars. Walter Willets also recommends drinking water over soft drinks containing sugars or high fructose corn syrup.<ref>Coca-Cola & The American Beverage Ass. to sell the Brooklyn Bridge [http://juliahavey.typepad.com/my_weblog/2006/08/cocacola_to_sel.html]</ref>
+
The dominance of HFCS in some markets, particularly in the United States, has generated some controversies in terms of market forces and health.  
  
Although these studies have shown a weak correlation or no correlation between HFCS and adverse health effects, there are many people who believe such a strong correlation exists, and is likely causation. By citing various studies of different sugars on rats and anecdotal evidence from practitioners in the medical profession, a community of individuals has sought to explain an increased incidence of type II diabetes and obesity in terms of increased HFCS consumption. [http://www.westonaprice.org/motherlinda/cornsyrup.html] Often, though, it can be difficult to find direct support for these claims in peer-reviewed journals.
+
In the United States, there are various price supports and sugar quotes, imposed since May 1982, that make importing of [[sugar]] expensive, and make HFCS, derived from corn, more economical. Additional support for [[corn]] (maize) growers also contributes. In the [[European Union]], the sugar price is close to the market price, and the greater availability of cane sugar over maize would make HFCS production there uneconomical. In Japan, HFCS consumption accounts for one quarter of total sweetener consumption
  
===Labeling as "natural"=== 
+
There also are well-publicized concerns that HFCS may not be as healthy as sucrose or glucose, based on various research done on [[fructose]], showing higher fasting plasma [[Triglyceride|triacylglycerol]] values in men (Raatz 2000), increase of obesity in [[mice]] (Jurgens et al. 2005), and reports that large quantities of fructose stimulates the [[liver]] to produce triglycerides, promotes [[glycation]] of proteins, and induces [[insulin]] resistance (Faeh et al. 2005). Bray et al. (2004) found an association between [[obesity]] and high HFCS consumption.
In May 2006, the [[Center for Science in the Public Interest]] (CSPI) threatened to file a lawsuit against [[Cadbury Schweppes]] for labeling [[7 Up]] as "All Natural", despite containing high fructose corn syrup. While the FDA has no definition of "natural", CSPI claims that HFCS is not a “natural” ingredient due to the high level of processing and the use of at least one [[genetically modified organisms|genetically modifed]] (GMO) enzyme required to produce it.<ref>[[Center for Science in the Public Interest]] [http://www.cspinet.org/new/200605111.html CSPI to Sue Cadbury Schweppes over “All Natural” 7UP]</ref> On January 12, 2007, [[Cadbury Schweppes]] agreed to stop calling [[7 Up]] "All Natural".<ref>[[Consumer Law and Policy Blog]] [http://pubcit.typepad.com/clpblog/2007/01/cspis_litigatio.html CSPI’s Litigation Project Forces Change By Two Major Food Companies]</ref>
 
  
[[Snapple]] (another Cadbury-Schweppes brand) is well-known for being "all-natural," but most varieties contain HFCS.
+
On the other hand, others note that such studies were on the effects of pure fructose intakes in various solutions not of HFCS and that consumption of high sugar in general would correlate with obesity and health concerns. According to research provided by Melanson et al. (2007) effects of HFCS to date mimic those of sucrose and not of pure fructose in certain individuals. High fructose corn syrup comes in different ratios of fructose and glucose, which are considered to be roughly the same products produced by the breakdown of sucrose (cane/table sugar) in the body. Melanson et al. (2006) studied the effects of HFCS and sucrose sweetened drinks on blood glucose, insulin, leptin, and ghrelin levels, and found no significant differences in any of these parameters.
  
[[Newman's Own]] [http://www.newmansown.com/product_detail.cfm?cat_id=6&prod_id=43 Lemonade] and [http://www.newmansown.com/product_detail.cfm?cat_id=6&prod_id=47 Limeade] is labeled as "all-natural" but also contains HFCS.
+
Of course, another issue is concern about high fructose consumption in itself, whether from HFCS or other commercially produced sources, as high fructose consumption has been linked to heart disease, raising blood levels of [[cholesterol]] and [[triglyceride]], make blood cells more prone to clotting, diabetes, and possibly acceleration of the aging process (Challem 1995). The same concerns for health are also connected to high sucrose consumption as well.
  
===Taste===
 
 
Some beverage manufacturers have returned to cane sugar as a sweetener, maintaining that there is a noticeable difference in taste.
 
Some beverage manufacturers have returned to cane sugar as a sweetener, maintaining that there is a noticeable difference in taste.
 
[[Jones Soda]] announced that the company will launch its 12 ounce canned soda (January 2007) sweetened with pure cane sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup. The brand will be called Jones Pure Cane Soda and will be sold as a 12 ounce can package.  As of March 2007, a 12 ounce bottle of Jones Pure Cane Soda Root Beer lists in its ingredients "inverted cane sugar", which seems to mean the same thing as [[inverted sugar syrup]], which, like HFCS, is a mixture of fructose and glucose.
 
 
[[Goose Island Brewery|Goose Island]] sodas also use pure sugar and they market this to have a more pure flavor. Their market slogan is "Made with 100% real sugar for better taste."
 
 
Steaz sodas and energy drinks use only organic cane sugar produced using a "single-crystallization process preserves the original flavor... without the use of additives, preservatives, or animal by-products."
 
 
[[Jolt Cola]] was originally sweetened with sugar, and marketed with the slogan "All the sugar and twice the caffeine."  A later reformulation, though, replaced sugar with HFCS.
 
 
[[Vernors]] was originally sweetened with [[stevia]] from 1866 to 1991 and had a "deliciously different" taste. Stevia was replaced with HFCS when the FDA banned it in 1991 in a controversial decision.
 
 
Some Coca-Cola products have started to use sucrose as indicated by the ingredient list clearly marked on the outside of the box. This is not widespread and is dependent on individual processing plants. Coca-Cola does not have an official statement at this time on whether they are or are not using sucrose.
 
 
One independent [[Dr Pepper]] bottler in [[Dublin, Texas]] never switched, giving "[[Dublin Dr Pepper]]" a unique taste.  Other bottlers have since followed suit, sometimes offering both HFCS and cane sugar sweetened versions in the same market.
 
 
==References==
 
<div class="references-small">
 
<references/>
 
</div>
 
 
==External links==
 
* [http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis.cgi/web/vortex/display?slug=syrup07&date=20070207 "Is high-fructose corn syrup making us fat? It's a sticky subject"] (Article by Karen Gaudette, ''Seattle Times'')
 
* [http://www.nextnc.com/content/view/14701/29/ "Is fructose to blame for obesity?"] (Article by Barbara Quinn, McClatchy-Tribune)
 
*[http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/02/business/yourmoney/02syrup.html "Does This Goo Make You Groan?" or "A Sweetener With a Bad Rap"] (Article by Melanie Warner, ''New York Times'') [http://www.parsintl.com/pdf/11824-NYT-CornRefiners.pdf complete text available]
 
* [http://www.hfcsfacts.com/ HFCS Facts] (Industry site)
 
* The Nutrition Reporter [http://www.thenutritionreporter.com/fructose_dangers.html "Fructose: Maybe Not So Natural...and Not So Safe"]
 
* [http://www.junkscience.com/feb05/sodastonewall.htm "Scientists Stonewall on Spurious Soda Scare"]
 
* [http://www.accidentalhedonist.com/index.php/2005/06/09/foods_and_products_containing_high_fruct Foods containing High Fructose Corn Syrup]
 
* [http://www.cargillfoods.com/products/product_sweeteners.html Cargill Foods] (Largest provider of HFCS to the food & beverage industry)
 
* [http://www.cjly.net/deconstructingdinner/021507.htm "Audio broadcast linking HFCS Industry to Diabetes/Obesity Epidemic"]
 
* [http://www.westonaprice.org/modernfood/highfructose.html "The Double Danger of High Fructose Corn Syrup"]
 
* [http://www.newstarget.com/003002.html "Consumption of soft drinks and high-fructose corn syrup linked to obesity and diabetes"]
 
* [http://www.westonaprice.org/motherlinda/cornsyrup.html "The Murky World of High-Fructose Corn Syrup"]
 
* [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/chronicle/archive/2004/02/18/FDGS24VKMH1.DTL "We're drowning in high fructose corn syrup. Do the risks go beyond our waistline?"] (San Francisco Chronicle)
 
[[Category:Sweeteners]]
 
 
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
<references/>
 
  
<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.foodproductdesign.com/articles/463/463_0505CARB_5.html |title=Food Product Design: Carbohydrate Sweeteners}}</ref>By Elaine Knehr
+
* Bantle, J. P., S. K. Raatz, W. Thomas, and A. Georgopoulos. 2000. [http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/full/72/5/1128 Effects of dietary fructose on plasma lipids in healthy subjects]. ''American Journal of Clinical Nutrition'' 72(5): 1128-1134. 
 +
* Bray, G. A., S. J. Nielsen, and B. M. Popkin. 2004. [http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/full/79/4/537 Consumption of high-fructose corn syrup in beverages may play a role in the epidemic of obesity]. ''American Journal of Clinical Nutrition'' 79(4): 537-543.
 +
* Challem, J. 1995. [http://www.thenutritionreporter.com/fructose_dangers.html Fructose: Maybe not so natural…and not so safe]. ''The Nutrition Reporter''. Retrieved July 3, 2007.
 +
* Corn Refiners Association (CRA). 2007. [http://www.hfcsfacts.com/sweetAsSugar.html Is HFCS sweeter than sugar?]. ''Corn Refiners Association HFCS Facts''. Retrieved July 3, 2007.
 +
* Food Product Design (FPD). 2006. [http://www.foodproductdesign.com/hotnews/64h1411309.html Similarities between HFCS and sucrose revealed]. ''Food Product Design''. Retrieved July 3, 2007.
 +
* Hanover, L. M. and J. S. White. 1993. Manufacturing, composition, and applications of fructose. ''Am J Clin Nutr'' 58(suppl 5): 724S-732S.
 +
* Jurgens, H. et al. 2005. Consuming fructose-sweetened beverages increases body adiposity in mice. ''Obesity Res'' 13: 1146-1156. 
 +
* Knehr, E. 2005. [http://www.foodproductdesign.com/articles/463/463_0505CARB_5.html Carbohydrate sweeteners]. ''Food Product Design''. Retrieved July 3, 2007.
 +
* International Starch Institute (ISI). 2006. [http://www.starch.dk/isi/starch/glosary.htm Starch & Sweetener Dictionary]. ''International Starch Association''. Retrieved July 3, 2007.
 +
* Faeh D., K. Minehira, J. M. Schwarz, R. Periasamy, S. Park, and L. Tappy. 2005. [http://diabetes.diabetesjournals.org/cgi/content/full/54/7/1907 Effect of fructose overfeeding and fish oil administration on hepatic de novo lipogenesis and insulin sensitivity in healthy men]. ''Diabetes'' 54(7): 1907-1913.
 +
* Marshall et al. 1957. Enzymatic conversion of d-glucose to d-fructose. ''Science'' 125(3249): 648.
 +
* Melanson, K. J., L. Zukley, J. Lowndes, V. Nguyen, T. J. Angelopoulos, and J. M. Rippe. 2007. [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=17234503&query_hl=17&itool=pubmed_docsum Effects of high-fructose corn syrup and sucrose consumption on circulating glucose, insulin, leptin, and ghrelin and on appetite in normal-weight women]. ''Nutrition'' 23(2): 103-112.
 +
* Melanson, K. et al. 2006. Eating rate and satiation. ''Obesity Society (NAASO) 2006 Annual Meeting'', October 20-24, 2006. Hynes Convention Center, Boston, MA.
 +
* Ophardt, C. E. 2003. [http://www.elmhurst.edu/~chm/vchembook/548HFsyrup.html The chemistry of corn syrup]. ''Virtual Chembook''. Retrieved July 4, 2007.
 +
* Pollan, M. 2003. [http://www.michaelpollan.com/article.php?id=52 The way we live now: The (agri)cultural contradictions of obesity]. ''NY Times Magazine'' 12 Oct. 2003. Retrieved July 3, 2007.
 +
* Sugar Association (SA). 2007. [http://www.sugar.org/consumers/sweet_by_nature.asp?id=277 Alternative carbohydrate sweeteners]. ''Sugar Association''. Retrieved July 4, 2007.
 +
* White, J. S. 1992. Fructose syrup: production, properties and applications. In F. W. Schenck and R. E. Hebeda, eds, ''Starch Hydrolysis Products: Worldwide Technology, Production, and Applications'', pp. 177-200. VCH Publishers, Inc. ISBN 1560810556.
 +
* World Health Organization (WHO). 2003. ''WHO Technical Report, Series 916, Diet, Nutrition, and the Prevention of Chronic Diseases''. World Health Organization.
  
International Starch Institute (ISI). 2006. Starch & Sweetener Dictionary
 
<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.starch.dk/isi/starch/glosary.htm |title=International Starch Association Starch and Glucose Glossary}}</ref>
 
Contributing Editor 2005
 
  
Sugar Association (SA 2007)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sugar.org/consumers/sweet_by_nature.asp?id=277 |title=Sugar Association Alternative Carbohydrate Sweeteners}}</ref>
 
==External links==
 
* [http://www.corn.org/web/processo.htm How corn is turned into corn syrup.]
 
* [http://www.elmhurst.edu/~chm/vchembook/548HFsyrup.html The chemistry of corn syrup]
 
* [http://food.oregonstate.edu/sugar/corn.html Oregon State University Food Resource: Corn Syrup]
 
  
  
[[Category:Sweeteners]]
 
 
{{credit|Corn_syrup|135701376|High_fructose_corn_syrup|141863594}}
 
{{credit|Corn_syrup|135701376|High_fructose_corn_syrup|141863594}}
[[Category:Living sciences]]
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[[Category:Life sciences]]
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[[Category:Food]]

Latest revision as of 23:23, 6 April 2022


Corn syrup is any of a variety of forms of syrup (thick, viscous liquid, containing a large amount of dissolved sugars, with little tendency to deposit crystals) made using corn starch as a feedstock, and composed mainly of glucose. Corn syrup is a natural sweetener used in a variety of products, which may be labeled "all natural" in the United States. It is often used to soften texture, add volume, inhibit crystallization, and enhance flavor (Knehr 2005).

The varieties of sweeteners listed as corn syrup differ in the amount of glucose present, among other factors (color, flavor additives, cloudiness, etc.). A commercial “corn syrup” may contain between 20 percent and 98 percent dextrose (glucose) (SA 2007). The more general term glucose syrup is often used synonymously with corn syrup, since glucose syrup is most commonly made from corn starch (SA 2007). Technically though, glucose syrup is any liquid starch hydrolysate of mono, di, and higher saccharides (ISI 2006) and can be made from starch from any source, of which wheat, rice, and potatoes are the most common sources.

High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is a variant of corn syrup in which other enzymes are used to convert some of the glucose into fructose. The resulting syrup is sweeter and more soluble.

Corn syrup and HFCS address an internal aspect of people, that of joy of taste. Furthermore, carbohydrates are a fundamental component needed by living organisms, providing energy for plants, animals, and microorganisms. So important are carbohydrates to human health that a panel of experts commissioned by four United Nations agencies, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) recommended that carbohydrates should represent between 55 percent and 75 percent of the energy intake of a diet (WHO 2003).

However, commercially produced sweeteners, whether cane sugar or corn syrup, have been linked to many deleterious health consequences. For such reasons, the same panel recommended that the total of free sugars (all monosaccharides and disaccharides added to foods by the manufacturer, cook, or consumer, plus sugars naturally present in honey, syrups and fruit juices) should not account for more than 10 percent of the energy intake of a healthy diet. However, people often consume an unnatural and unhealthy proportion of soft drinks and other items filled with corn syrup and HFCS, perhaps overvaluing the sensation of taste over one's state of health. A responsible lifestyle requires balance and discipline that allows one to experience the joy of creation while also promoting the natural harmony of the body.

Corn syrup production and use

Starch is a complex carbohydrate, specifically a polysaccharide, that is used by plants as a way to store glucose. After cellulose, starch is the most abundant polysaccharide in plant cells. In pure form, starch is insoluble in cold water. Animals and plants digest starch, converting it to glucose to serve as a source of energy. Starch is a major source of carbohydrates in human diets.

Hydrolysis is the term used to describe the process where starch is converted into various sweeteners. Commercially, in the case of corn starch, this involves a series of two enzymatic reactions to convert the corn starch to corn syrup (Ophardt 2003). Prior to this, the corn is processed and refined in order to separate the starch from protein and other materials, which are used for animal feed.

The starch is hydrolyzed using acid, acid-enzyme, or enzyme-enzyme catalyzed processes, with the first enzyme typically alpha amylase, which produces about 10-20 percent glucose, and further treatment with the enzyme glucoamylase, which yields 93-96 percent glucose. Acid hydrolysis may involve using a weak solution of hydrochloric acid and heat to help break down the molecules of starch. The varying sweetness of the corn syrup is done according to how long the hydrolysis is allowed to proceed; the longer the hydrolysis, the sweeter the syrup.

In reality, the term corn syrup refers to a group of sweeteners that differ in the amount of dextrose (glucose) present (20 to 98 percent), and that may also have caramel flavor and coloring added (dark corn syrup) or color and cloudiness removed (light corn syrup), and so froth. When corn syrup is concentrated to the point that it has less than 10 percent water, it can be listed as “corn syrup solids” (or dried glucose syrup, or glucose syrup solids, in an ingredient statement, as long as the glucose content is at least 88 percent of the weight of the concentrated syrup (SA 2007).

Because of its mild sweetness, corn syrup may be used in conjunction with high intensity sweeteners. Corn syrup's major use is in commercially prepared foods as a thickener and for its moisture-retaining (humectant) properties, which keep foods moist and helps to maintain freshness.

Some foods that commonly contain corn syrup are: Baking and cooking ingredients, beverages, soft drinks, breads, breakfast cereals, breakfast pastries, candy bars, condiments, cookies and cakes, cough syrups, crackers, dairy, drink mixers, frozen foods, ice creams, infant formula, jams and jellies, syrups, meats, pastries, salad dressings, sauces, snacks, soda, and microwavable soup.

High fructose corn syrup

High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) refers to a group of corn syrups that have undergone enzymatic processing in order to increase the fructose content. This processing converts the dextrose (glucose) sugars into fructose sugars, which are sweeter.

Typically, types of HFCS include HFCS 90 (most commonly used in baked goods), which is approximately 90 percent fructose and 10 percent glucose; HFCS 55 (most commonly used in soft drinks), which is approximately 55 percent fructose and 45 percent glucose; and HFCS 42 (most commonly used in sports drinks), which is approximately 42 percent fructose and 58 percent glucose.

There is some controversy over the use of HFCS as a food additive. Increasingly, manufacturers are utilizing HFCS in a variety of foods such as breads, cereals, soft drinks, condiments, and so forth.

The process by which HFCS is produced was first developed by Richard O. Marshall and Earl R. Kooi in 1957 (Marshall et al. 1957), and refined by Japanese researchers in the 1970s. HFCS was rapidly introduced in many processed foods and soft drinks in the United States over the period of about 1975–1985.

In terms of sweetness, HFCS 55 is comparable to table sugar (sucrose) (CRA 2007). This makes it useful to manufacturers as a possible substitute for sugar in soft drinks and other processed foods. HFCS 90 is sweeter than table sugar, while HFCS 42 is not as sweet as table sugar.

Since its introduction, HFCS has begun to replace sugar in various processed foods in the U.S. The main reasons for this switch are (White 1992):

  • HFCS is somewhat cheaper due to the relative abundance of corn, farm subsidies, and sugar import tariffs in the United States (Pollan 2003)
  • HFCS is easier to blend and transport because it is a liquid (Hanover and White 1993)
  • HFCS usage leads to products with much longer shelf life

Comparison of HFCS to other sugars

Cane sugar

Cane sugar is relatively pure sucrose. Sucrose is a disaccharide, as opposed to glucose and fructose, which are monosaccharides. Each molecule of sucrose is composed of one unit each of fructose and glucose linked together with a relatively weak glycosidic bond. A molecule of sucrose (with a chemical formula of C12H22O11) can be broken down into a molecule of glucose (C6H12O6) plus a molecule of fructose (also C6H12O6. Sucrose is broken down during digestion into fructose and glucose through hydrolysis by the enzyme sucrase.

Because sucrose can be broken down into fructose and glucose, some people say that sucrose is composed "50 percent glucose and 50 percent fructose." This, strictly speaking, is incorrect, because the fructose and glucose in sucrose are linked together and thus it is a different molecule. On the other hand, because sucrose is broken down in weakly acidic environments into its constituent monosaccharides, namely fructose and glucose, it is not incorrect to describe its constituents as 50 percent glucose and 50 percent fructose. This same process occurs in the stomach and in the small intestine during the digestion of sucrose into fructose and glucose. According to two published reports, sucrose is metabolized by the body like a mixture of 50 percent glucose and 50 percent fructose and no differently from HFCS (Melanson et al. 2007; FPD 2006).

HFCS 50 is chemically quite similar to cane sugar as cane sugar sucrose is made of 50 percent fructose and 50 percent glucose while HFCS 55 is made of 55 percent fructose and 45 percent glucose. Both HFCS and sucrose have approximately 4 kcal per gram of solid.

Honey

Honey is a mixture of different types of sugars, water, and small amounts of other compounds. Honey typically has a fructose/glucose ratio similar to HFCS 55, as well as containing some sucrose and other sugars. Honey, HFCS, and sucrose have the same number of calories, having approximately 4 kcal per gram of solid.

Production

High-fructose corn syrup is produced by milling corn to produce corn starch, then processing that corn starch to yield corn syrup that is almost entirely glucose, and then adding enzymes that change the glucose into fructose. The resulting syrup (after enzyme conversion) contains approximately 90 percent fructose and is HFCS 90. To make the other common forms of HFCS (HFCS 55 and HFCS 42). the HFCS 90 is mixed with 100 percent glucose corn syrup in the appropriate ratios to form the desired HFCS syrup. The enzyme process that changes the 100 percent glucose corn syrup into HFCS 90 is as follows:

  1. Cornstarch is treated with alpha-amylase to produce shorter chains of sugars called oligosaccharides
  2. Glucoamylase breaks the sugar chains down even further to yield the simple sugar glucose
  3. Glucose isomerase converts glucose to a mixture of about 42 percent fructose and 50–52 percent glucose with some other sugars mixed in

While inexpensive alpha-amylase and glucoamylase are added directly to the slurry and used only once, the more costly glucose-isomerase is packed into columns and the sugar mixture is then passed over it, allowing it to be used repeatedly until it loses its activity. This 42–43 percent fructose glucose mixture is then subjected to a liquid chromatography step where the fructose is enriched to approximately 90 percent. The 90 percent fructose is then back-blended with 42 percent fructose to achieve a 55 percent fructose final product. Most manufacturers use carbon absorption for impurity removal. Numerous filtration, ion-exchange, and evaporation steps are also part of the overall process.

Controversy

The dominance of HFCS in some markets, particularly in the United States, has generated some controversies in terms of market forces and health.

In the United States, there are various price supports and sugar quotes, imposed since May 1982, that make importing of sugar expensive, and make HFCS, derived from corn, more economical. Additional support for corn (maize) growers also contributes. In the European Union, the sugar price is close to the market price, and the greater availability of cane sugar over maize would make HFCS production there uneconomical. In Japan, HFCS consumption accounts for one quarter of total sweetener consumption

There also are well-publicized concerns that HFCS may not be as healthy as sucrose or glucose, based on various research done on fructose, showing higher fasting plasma triacylglycerol values in men (Raatz 2000), increase of obesity in mice (Jurgens et al. 2005), and reports that large quantities of fructose stimulates the liver to produce triglycerides, promotes glycation of proteins, and induces insulin resistance (Faeh et al. 2005). Bray et al. (2004) found an association between obesity and high HFCS consumption.

On the other hand, others note that such studies were on the effects of pure fructose intakes in various solutions not of HFCS and that consumption of high sugar in general would correlate with obesity and health concerns. According to research provided by Melanson et al. (2007) effects of HFCS to date mimic those of sucrose and not of pure fructose in certain individuals. High fructose corn syrup comes in different ratios of fructose and glucose, which are considered to be roughly the same products produced by the breakdown of sucrose (cane/table sugar) in the body. Melanson et al. (2006) studied the effects of HFCS and sucrose sweetened drinks on blood glucose, insulin, leptin, and ghrelin levels, and found no significant differences in any of these parameters.

Of course, another issue is concern about high fructose consumption in itself, whether from HFCS or other commercially produced sources, as high fructose consumption has been linked to heart disease, raising blood levels of cholesterol and triglyceride, make blood cells more prone to clotting, diabetes, and possibly acceleration of the aging process (Challem 1995). The same concerns for health are also connected to high sucrose consumption as well.

Some beverage manufacturers have returned to cane sugar as a sweetener, maintaining that there is a noticeable difference in taste.

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees


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