Xavier University Ateneo de Cagayan

Laboratory Experiment #8
Lipids

In Partial Fulfilment
Of the Requirements for Chemistry 153L

Submitted by:
Daniel Sotto
Lew Carynn Tacandong
Adonnis Tan

BSN – 1C

AY 2018-2019
Introduction

Lipids refer to a group of naturally occurring substances characterized by their

insolubility in water, and their solubility in fat solvents such as chloroform, either, hot
alcohol, and benzene. They are grouped into different classes depending on their
structures. The experiments performed aim to test, analyze, and identify the
components and properties of Lipids.

Analysis

Table A: Acrolein Test

Samples Results/ Descriptions
1.Glycerol brown liquid formation around the bottom of the test
tube, pungent smell and fatty
2. Coconut oil reddish orange
3. Lecithin light brown liquid with light brown particles
4. Oleic acid dark and muddy brown liquid

The Arcolein test is used to detect the presence of glycerol or fat. Fat is treated strongly
in the presence of a dehydrating agent like potassium bisulphate (KHSO4), the glycerol
portion of the molecule is dehydrated to form an unsaturated aldehyde, acrolein that has
a pungent smell.

Table B: Test for Unsaturation

Samples Results/ Descriptions
1. Olive oil 150 drops - cloudy red semi-gelatinous solution
2. Oleic acid 90 drops - crimson red solution
3. Stearic acid 5 drops - clear crimson red solution
4. Coconut oil 100 drops – crimson red solution

The Test for Unsaturation is done with Hubl’s Iodine Method for Oil Analysis. The
method depends on the fact that the unsaturated glycerides found in the oils form
addition products with iodine. The more drops added means the more unsaturation and
multi-bonded the samples are. As we can see in Table A, Olive Oil is the most
unsaturated and multi-bonded while Stearic Acid is less unsaturated and less multi-
bonded.

Table C: Test for Phosphate

Sample Results/Descriptions
Lecithin bright yellow translucent solution

The Test for Phosphate uses a simple qualitative method to determine the presence of
phosphate ions. A small amount of the sample is acidified with concentrated nitric acid
to which a small amount of aluminum molybdate is added. The presence of
phospholipids is indicated by the formation of bright yellow precipitate which is present
in the Lecithin sample.

Table D: Emulsification Test

Mixtures Description Observation under Microscope
1 mL coconut oil + 5 drops 0.1% off-white solution with tiny
bile salt solution bubbles and particles

1 mL coconut oil + 5 drops H20 off-white semi-gelatinous solution

+ tiny crystal of cholesterol with white particles at the bottom
1 mL olive oil + 5 drops 1% pale orange semi-gelatinous
aqueous solution of lecithin solution with tiny bubbly
formation at the top

The emulsion test is a method to determine the presence of lipids using wet chemistry.
The test relies on the property of lipids in which they cannot be dissolved in water. The
non-dissolving lipid results in a cloudy white emulsion, which is only seen in the bile salt
and cholesterol sample.

Table E: Liebermann-Burchard or Acetic Anhydride Reaction

Samples Results
Cholesterol dark blue semi-gelatinous solution
Bile salts pale yellow semi-gelatinous solution with brown
particles floating

The Liebermann-Burchard or Acetic Anhydride Test is used to detect cholesterol. The

formation of a green or green-blue colour after a few minutes indicates that a sample is
positive with cholesterol, which is present in the 1 st sample.

Table F: Carr-Price Reaction

Samples Description
Cod liver oil formation of two layers, light brown at the top and
bluish at the bottom
Coconut oil clear solution
Olive oil formation of two layers, a clear solution at the top while
white at the bottom
The Carr-Price Reaction Test is the reaction of Antimony Trichloride and Vitamin A in a
chloroform solution for the identification of the presence of Vitamin A. A blue color is
indicative of the presence of Vitamin A, which is seen in Cod liver oil.

Table G: Modified Furter-Meyer Test

Sample Description
α-tocopherol red orange solution
Vitamin E: Myra E light yellow to orange

The Modified Furter-Meyer test is used to detect the presence of tocopherols by giving a
bronze-red solution. As seen in the table, both samples tested positive on the Modified
Furter-Meyer Test. Since Myra E also contains α-tocopherol, otherwise known as
Vitamin E, it also tested positive.

Conclusion
In Conclusion, there are multiple ways to test for the properties of different Lipids. From
the Arcolein Test to test for Glycerol or Fat to testing for the presence of α-tocopherol,
there are a lot of efficient methods for testing lipids. The experiments were successful,
yet could be conducted more neatly and efficiently by the students in order to achieve
textbook results.