Practical Biochemistry Tests LEARN

STARCH:

Add a solution of iodine to sample

If starch is present, iodine changes colour from yellow-brown to blue-black

REDUCING SUGARS:

Add Benedicts solution (alkaline copper sulphate) to sample

Heat in a water bath of 80oc
If reducing sugar is present it turns brick-red if not present no change
Compare sample to know sugar contents in a colorimeter
If not present do non-reducing sugar test
If present compare on a graph to the know sugar contents solutions

NON-REDUCING SUGARS:

Make sure no reducing sugars in sample

Boil the sample with Hydrochloric acid
Cool solution and neutralise by adding sodium hydrogen carbonate
solution
Repeat reducing sugar test again

BIURET TEST (TESTING FOR PROTEINS):

Add biuret reagent to sample

If colour changes to lilac proteins are present

ETHANOL EMULSION TEST (TESTING FOR LIPIDS):

Mix sample with ethanol dissolves any present lipid

Then pour liquid into water contained in another clean test tube
If lipid present cloudy white emulsion with form near top of water

Testing For

Description

Starch

Add a few drops of

iodine solution
Add Benedicts solution
and heat to 80oc in
water bath
If reducing sugar test is
ve, boil with HCL acid,
cool and neutralise
with sodium
hydrogencarbonate
solution; repeat

Reducing sugar

Non-reducing sugar

Result (colour
change)
Brown to blue/black
Blue to brick-red

Blue to brick-red

Protein
Lipid

Benedicts test
Add biuret reagent
Add ethanol to extract
lipid and pour alcohol
into water in another
test tube

Blue to lilac
White emulsion forms
near top of water