A study of the breakdown of carbohydrates by redox-generated free radicals

Abstract Extensive autoxidative degradation of low and high molecular weight carbohydrates was achieved using an electrolysis cell and iron-EDTA as reductant at neutral pH. As ascertained by chemical methods this free-radical induced degradation of sugars was in each case of the order of 20% after a period of 10 h. The method should be useful for studying the nature of breakdown products derived from the hydroxyl free-radical initiated decomposition of sugars.