Date: 3/5/10
BSC 231, Section 001
Dr. Cynthia Moore
Alisha Brand, Emily Sandy, Tim Edison, and Anastasia Bein
Measuring Sugar Content in Soda
Experimental Design:
Measuring Sugar Content in Soda
BSC 231 -Dr. Cynthia Moore
Group: Alisha Brand, Emily Sandy, Tim Edison, and Anastasia Bein
Date: 3/5/10
BSC 231, Section 001
Dr. Cynthia Moore
Alisha Brand, Emily Sandy, Tim Edison, and Anastasia Bein
Measuring Sugar Content in Soda
Measuring Sugar Content in Soda
Introduction
For this experiment, we determined the sugar content in different sodas by creating a
calibration curve with known sugar solutions. After the standard curve was obtained, we found the
density of the four sodas under examination. With the value of the known density, the percent sugar
can be calculated using the percent sugar v. density standard curve. The general objective of this
experiment is to show how sodas with higher densities also have higher sugar (and thusly higher
carbohydrate) levels.
This experiment is especially pertinent to today’s classroom considering the recent increase in
childhood obesity. Notably, a recent study has shown that people who consume two or more sweetened
soft drinks per week have a higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer. High levels of hormones such as
insulin, which increases its concentration in the body with response to a rise in blood sugar, may
increase the level of growth cancer (Robles). Consequently, this lab will show how a change in drink
intake from regular soda to diet soda could accordingly decrease your getting certain types of cancer.
More specifically, the questions answered in this lab are: How can you measure sugar contents in soda?
Which sodas have the highest percentage of sugar?
Hypothesis Tested
If the amount of sugar (carbohydrates) in “regular” cola products is higher than the amount of
sugar in diet cola products, then the density of the cola will also be higher.
Materials
100 ml Coca-cola
100 ml Pepsi
100 ml Coca-cola zero
100 ml Diet Pepsi
Date: 3/5/10
BSC 231, Section 001
Dr. Cynthia Moore
Alisha Brand, Emily Sandy, Tim Edison, and Anastasia Bein
Measuring Sugar Content in Soda
75 grams Sugar
Deionized water
Beaker
graduated cylinder
Pipete
Electronic Scale
*Note: for our experiment, the exact sodas above were used. However, generic or off-brand sodas will
also be suitable.
Procedure
At least one day in advance, make sure the sodas you will be using are flat. This can be done by leaving
then opened at room temperature over night or by shaking to release the carbonation. This will ensure
more accurate results.
To start with, create a calibration curve using 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25% sugar solutions with deionized
water as follows:
Step One. Prepare sugar solutions of 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25% sugar to find a standard curve.
a. To prepare a 5% sugar solution, weigh out 5.00g of sugar.
b. In a beaker, combine 5.00 g table sugar with 75mL deionized H₂O and stir until completely
dissolved.
c. Pour the solution into a 100 mL graduated cylinder and add deionized H₂O for until you get a
final total volume of 100 mL.
d. Transfer the 5% solution into a labeled beaker and repeat steps 1a.-1d. for the remaining
sugar concentrations using 10g, 15g, 20g, and 25g, for their respective solutions. You should
have the following beakers set up:
Beaker Number % Sugar Weight of Sugar in Beaker (g) Final Volume of Graduated Cylander
1
0
0 (no sugar)
100 mL
2
5
5
100 mL
3
10
10
100 mL
4
15
15
100 mL
5
20
20
100 mL
6
25
25
100 mL
Date: 3/5/10
BSC 231, Section 001
Dr. Cynthia Moore
Alisha Brand, Emily Sandy, Tim Edison, and Anastasia Bein
Measuring Sugar Content in Soda
Step Two. Measure densities of each sugar solution.
a. Pipet 10.00 mL of each standard solution (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%) into a pre-weighed
container.
b. Find the total weight of the solution and record. Repeat this three times for each solution to
ensure accuracy. Make sure to rinse and dry the pipet after each use.
c. Calculate the density based upon the measured mass of the solution and the volume by using
the following equation:
Density= (g) x (mL)
g= mass of solution obtained from scale
mL= 10.00
d. Repeat steps 2a.-2d. for each sugar solution. Record data in a table.
Step 3. Determine the density of the four sodas (Coke, Coke 1, Pepsi and Diet Pepsi).
a. If the soda has not been set out ahead of time, shake the soda to ensure it has become "flat".
Don't make a mess!!
b. Follow the same procedure from step two to determine the density of the four sodas (2
regular sodas and 2 diet sodas).
c. Compare the average value of the soda density to the standard curve to determine the
percent sugar in each of the sodas.
d. Graph using a bar graph to compare sodas.
Results
Table 1. Densities of solutions relative to their percent sugar
percent
sugar
0
5
10
15
20
25
density
density density
(g/ml)
(g/ml)
(g/ml)
Trial 1
Trial 2
Trial 3
0.96
0.968
0.96
0.965
0.981
0.977
0.996
0.974
0.998
1.014
1.011
1.012
1.036
1.028
1.032
1.05
1.053
1.055
Average
Density
(g/ml)
0.962667
0.974333
0.989333
1.012333
1.032
1.052667
Date: 3/5/10
BSC 231, Section 001
Dr. Cynthia Moore
Alisha Brand, Emily Sandy, Tim Edison, and Anastasia Bein
Measuring Sugar Content in Soda
Graph 1. Standard curve obtained from Table 1.
Sugar Standard
1.06
y = 0.0039x + 0.9549
R² = 0.9801
Density (g/mL)
1.04
1.02
1
0.98
0.96
0.94
0
5
10
15
% sugar
Table 2. Average Weight of relative percent sugar solutions
% Sugar
0
5
10
15
20
25
Average
Weight
(g)
0.963
0.974
0.989
1.012
1.032
1.053
20
25
30
Date: 3/5/10
BSC 231, Section 001
Dr. Cynthia Moore
Alisha Brand, Emily Sandy, Tim Edison, and Anastasia Bein
Measuring Sugar Content in Soda
Graph 2. Results shown from Table 2.
% of Sugar v. Average Weight of
Solution
Average Weight (g)
1.06
y = 0.0037x + 0.9576
R² = 0.9877
1.04
1.02
1
0.98
0.96
0.94
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
% of Sugar in Solution
Table 3. Relative average weight in grams and weight of carbohydrates obtained from soda package
Soda
Coke
zero
Coke
Diet
Pepsi
Pepsi
Average weight
(g)
Weight of
Carbohydrates
(g)
0.970666667
1.010666667
0
27
0.971
1.017
0
28
Date: 3/5/10
BSC 231, Section 001
Dr. Cynthia Moore
Alisha Brand, Emily Sandy, Tim Edison, and Anastasia Bein
Measuring Sugar Content in Soda
Graph 3. Results of Table 3.
Weight of Various Sodas
Soda Brand
Pepsi
Diet Pepsi
Coke
Coke zero
0.94 0.95 0.96 0.97 0.98 0.99
1
1.01 1.02 1.03
Weight/10 mL of Solution (g)
Conclusion
From our results it is clear that the more sugar in the solution, the higher the density. Using the
results of step one, the standard curve was obtained. Using this graph, density can be calculated with
the known percent of sugar in a solution. It is also clear from our data that as the percent sugar of a
solution increases, so does its average weight. The data from tables 1 and 2 and graphs 1 and 2 can be
used to show how weight has an effect on our 4 sodas being tested.
According to our data, our hypothesis was supported. The weight of 10 mL of our soda was
significantly more in regular sodas than in diet sodas as shown in graph 3. Therefore, the densities of the
regular sodas were also higher.
References
Robles, S. (2010, March 3). Sugar in soda linked to pancreatic cancer. Daily Vidette, p 5.