High-fructose corn syrup is produced by milling corn into cornstarch, treating the cornstarch with enzymes that break down the complex sugars to glucose, or corn syrup, and using another enzymatic process to convert some of the glucose in the corn syrup to fructose. High-fructose corn syrup is commonly used as a sweetener, because it is cheaper than sugar and extends the shelf life of processed foods, according to MayoClinic.com.
Glucose
Glucose is one of the components of high fructose corn syrup. Glucose is a simple sugar that contains six carbon atoms, 12 hydrogen atoms and six oxygen atoms. The glucose molecules take either a straight chain form or a ring form.
Fructose
Fructose is another component of high fructose corn syrup. Fructose is a simple sugar that contains six carbon atoms, 12 hydrogen atoms and six oxygen atoms. It comes in both a straight chain form or a ring form. Fructose is an isomer of glucose.
Sucrose: Fructose Plus Glucose
Sucrose, the sugar commonly found in cane or beet sugar, consists of a glucose molecule and a fructose molecule. These are held together by a weak chemical bond. Sucrose is broken down into glucose and fructose in the human body.
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