12/25/2020

Glycosides
Qualitative Tests For Some Glycosides
Lab Manual Pages 32-33
• A N T H R A Q U I N O N E G LYC O S I D E S
• C A R D I A C G LYC O S I D E S
• F L AV O N O I D G LYC O S I D E S
• C YA N O P H O R I C G LYC O S I D E S
• S A P O N I N G LYC O S I D E S

For every glycoside we should know:

1. Examples of plants containing glycosides

2. Uses of glycosides
3. Chemical test for each glycoside.

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Qualitative analysis of some glycosides

Anthraquinone glycosides
Examples Senna pods , Rhubarb , Cascara and Frangula
Uses Purgatives “laxatives”
Special Borntrager’s and modified Borntrager’s test
test

Procedures : ¼ spoon powder + 3 ml chloroform shake and filter

using a wet piece of cotton add to the filtrate 1 ml 10% NH4OH
Gentle shaking and set aside.

Results : Rose pink to cherry red color in the aqueous layer

N.B: This test is carried out for the combined glycosides but for the aglycone it will
be carried out the same way but by omitting the step of boiling with Dil. H2SO4.

Cardiac Glycosides
Examples Digitalis , Nerium , Strophanthus and White Squill
Uses Cardiotonic
Special Keller-killiani’s Tests
Tests Kedde’s test

A) Keller-Killiani’s test : Done for glycosides having 2-deoxy sugars

Reagents used:
1. Glacial acetic acid
2. FeCl3
3. Conc. H2SO4
Result : A brown to reddish brown layer is formed at the interface due to presence of
aglycone and the upper glacial acetic acid layer becomes blue to bluish green due to the
2-deoxy sugars.

B) Kedde’s test : for the lactone ring

Reagents used:
1. Ethanol
2. Dinitro benzoic acid in alcohol
3. 5% NaOH

Result : A violet color appears

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Flavonoids glycosides
Examples Sophora , Melia , Liqourice and
Foenugreek
Uses Antioxidant
Special 10% NaOH test
test
Procedures :
¼ spoon of the powder + 5 ml of 1% HCl leave for
10 mins
Filter using a wet cotton add 1 ml of 10% NaOH
drop wise

Result : Yellow color appears due to the presence of

flavonoids

Cyanophore Glycosides

Examples Linseed

Uses Hypocholesterolemic

Special Guignard’s paper test

test

Guignard’s paper test :

1-Moisturize a filter paper in a beaker containing 1% picric acid solution

followed by sodium carbonate Yellow color to the paper (guignard’s
paper)

2-In a stoppered test tube add 1 spoon of freshly prepared crushed linseed
then add 5 ml of H2O at 37°C insert the guignard’s paper in the neck of
the test tube and place it on a water bath for 30 minutes.

Results :
The color changes from yellow to orange or brick red colour due to the
presence of HCN gas librated which reduces Na picrate into Na picramate

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Saponin Glycosides
Examples Liqourice and Quillaia , Sarsaparilla
Uses Emulsifying agents , expectorants
Properties - Formation of permanent froth with water
- Typical type causes hemolysis of RBCs
- Emulsifying agent and expectorant
Physical CCC. Have bitter taste with a sternutatory effect
Special test Froth test
Froth test:
¼ spoon of the powder + 10 mls of water Heat till 1st boiling
Filter

Take 4 mls of the filtrate in a measuring cylinder add 4 mls of

water and shake vigorously for 30 seconds then leave it for 1 min

Result: Persistent froth ≥ 0.5mls

N.B. Hemolysis test differentiates between Typical and Non-Typical

Saponins.