Confirming Coke Zeros Claim of Being Sugar Free

A Performance Task

Raphael Eala Tristan Lacambra Ken Recasata Lorenzo Rizo Joaquin Sorreta

4A

Mrs. Maria Donna Ines

INTRODUCTION

A. Background of the Study

Coke Zero claims to be free of glucose and fructose, as compared to Regular Coke which contains high-fructose corn syrup (which is composed of both glucose and fructose).

B. Objectives of the Study

Our goal is to verify this claim by administering the Benedicts test which can detect the presence of glucose and fructose, the sugars Coke Zero claims to be free of.

C. Scope and Limitations

Our test is limited to the verification of the Coca Cola product Coke Zeros being sugar-free only. Other beverages that claim to be similarly sugar-free, other Coca Cola diet beverages, artificial sweeteners and its properties and any issues concerning health are not part of this experiment. The Benedicts test also only detects those that are reducing sugars. All nonreducing saccharides (such as sucrose) are not part of this test. Only one trial will be conducted.

METHODOLOGY

A. Equipment and Materials 1. Graduated Cylinder 2. Test tube rack 3. Test tube holder 4. (2) Test tubes 5. Test tube holder 6. Medium-sized beaker 7. Iron stand 8. Iron ring 9. (2) Iron clamps 10. Bunsen burner 11. Wire gauze 12. 6.0 mL Tap water 13. 0.5 mL Coke Zero 14. 6.0 mL Benedicts reagent 15. 0.5 mL of 2% Glucose solution

B. Procedure 1. Set up a water bath using the beaker (3/4 filled with water), iron stand, wire gauze and Bunsen burner (do not ignite Bunsen burner yet).

2. In a test tube, mix the glucose solution and 3.0 mL of water together. This will serve as the control for the experiment.

3. In the other test tube, combine Coke zero (same amount as the glucose solution in the previous step) with 3.0 mL of water.

4. Add 3.0 mL of Benedicts reagent to both test tubes and mix well.

5. Place the test tubes in the water bath using the iron clamps to hold them into place. Make sure the solutions are parallel to each other and are completely below the water bath level without touching the bottom of the beaker.

6. Turn on the Bunsen burner and set it to a medium-sized blue flame. Heat the solutions for 5 minutes.

7. Observe if color changes take place after heating both test tubes. A green, yellow or red color of precipitate indicates a positive reaction for glucose and/or fructose.

DATA AND RESULTS

The Benedicts test involves the reaction of Benedicts reagent with the sugars present within one solution. A change in color indicates not only the taking place of the reaction, but the presence of sugars in the solution as well.

Positive Result: Blue (starting color) Green | Yellow | Orange | Red (large amt. present) Negative Result: Blue (starting color) Blue (no change in color) (no reducing sugars present)

Color Before Experiment

Color After Experiment

Glucose solution (control)

BLUE

BROWNISH-RED

Coke Zero solution

BLUE

BLUE

CONCLUSION As seen in the data above, only the glucose solution had a change in color. The change in color in a Benedicts test is the determinant of the experiment as it signifies the presence of sugars. The product, Coke Zero has none of the sugars glucose and fructose (both of which are present in Regular Coke) based on the performed experiment. The product is truthful to its claim.