What is the primary product formed when starch is hydrolyzed?

The primary product formed when starch is hydrolyzed is glucose. Starch is a polysaccharide made up of long chains of glucose molecules linked together. During hydrolysis, water is added to the starch, and enzymes or acids break these bonds, resulting in individual glucose units. This process is essential not only in the context of sake production but also in various biological and industrial applications where starch is utilized as an energy source.

Glucose serves as a critical substrate for fermentation, which is particularly significant in sake brewing, where yeasts convert glucose into alcohol and carbon dioxide. Understanding this conversion is fundamental for comprehending how the flavors and qualities of sake are developed during the brewing process. In contrast, cellulose, fructose, and galactose are different types of carbohydrates that do not primarily result from the hydrolysis of starch.