What type of sugar is maltose?

Maltose is classified as a disaccharide that is specifically composed of two glucose molecules linked together by an alpha-1,4 glycosidic bond. It is produced during the fermentation process and is a significant sugar found in malted grains, which is why it plays a substantial role in brewing. Being made up solely of glucose distinguishes maltose as a glucose disaccharide, as opposed to being derived from other monosaccharides like fructose. Understanding the structure and composition of maltose is crucial in fields like brewing and food science since it impacts sweetness and fermentation characteristics.

The other answer types do not fit the definition of maltose; it does not consist of fructose (which is the characteristic of certain other sugars), it is not a monosaccharide as that would imply it is a single sugar unit, and it does not qualify as a polyol sugar, which is typically a type of sugar alcohol used in various food applications.