Spring is almost here. Along the eastern part of the Canada-US border, it’s time to collect sap from the sugar maple tree (Acer saccharum) and make syrup. The province of Quebec is the world’s largest maple syrup producer. Anyone who has enjoyed pancakes or fresh fruit topped with maple syrup knows its richness and complexity has no equal.
Quebecol the Chemical
Maple Syrup is approximately 2/3 sucrose or common table sugar. “Culinary experts have praised its unique flavour, although the chemistry responsible is not fully understood. (1) “. (2)
Researchers looked into its chemical makeup and discovered a previously unknown polyphenolic compound which was eventually named quebecol.
Resveratrol, another polyphenol, is found in grapes (red wine) & blueberries & is believed to offer some health benefits. Similarly, quebecol is purported to inhibit the growth of colon cancer & moderate the effects of Alzheimer’s but this needs further study.
Quebecol the Mobile
Art often meets science in unusual ways. The structure of quebecol has an engaging appearance as you can see in the video below. You may notice that quebecol is made up only of carbon, oxygen & hydrogen as are common sugars & are in nearly the same ratio. [Note: the video references our original domain indigo.com which we sold in 2018. Our current website is www.indigoinstruments.com]
You can make a molecular model of quebecol with our 3D Molecular Model Builder. Just type in “quebecol” where it says Enter Compound & then press Build & Show Purchase Options. The model builder will return the list of parts you need. It’s easy to build & you can hang it as a mobile or use it as a desk ornament. It makes a unique gift for a budding or professional scientist or discerning sweet-toothed individual.
References
- Wikipedia-maple syrup
- Maple Syrup Infographic courtesy of: Pure Canadian Maple Syrup.
