Sucrose, << SOO krohs, >> is the chemical name for common table sugar. Sucrose belongs to a class of foods called carbohydrates. It is a product of photosynthesis, the food-making process in plants. Sucrose is extracted from sugar beets and sugar cane and is widely used as a sweetener.
Sucrose destroys organisms that cause spoilage and is used as a preservative for some foods, especially fruits, jams, and jellies. It is also used to prepare substances used in industry and medicine, including ethyl alcohol, glycerin, and citric acid.
