Chemical formula for sugar

Sugar is white cystalline solid group of soluble carbohydrates that are sweet tasting in nature. These sugar molecules include glucose, sucrose, lactose, fructose, maltose, lactose and galactose. Sugar molecules are classified as monosaccharides or disaccharides.The following table lists the common sugar molecules are their chemical formula.

The monosaccharides glucose, galactose and fructose all have the same molecular formula but they vary in their molecular structure.

The three common disaccharides lactose, sucrose and maltose also have the same molecular formula but differ in their structural formula

Lactose is also known as ‘milk sugar’ because it is primarily found in dairy products. Lactose intolerance is a genetic disorder which affects many people who lack the enzyme necessary to break down lactose into glucose and galactose. This prevents lactose being absorbed by the body.

Sucrose is obtained from sugar cane and sugar beet and is commonly called table sugar.