ACTIVITY NO.

Test for the Presence of Proteins

Objective

To test for the presence of proteins in some foods

Materials

meat, milk, monggo, water, 4 test tubes, test tube rack, Biuret reagent

Procedure

1. Put samples of food items in the test tubes separately.

2. For the meat, add some water and try to squash it.
3. In another test tube, put water (control).
4. Add about 2mL of Biuret reagent in each test tube.
5. Note the changes in color. Record all your observations.
6. A purple or pink change in color indicates the presence of proteins in the sample.
7. Other food items with proteins could be used in this activity.

Changes in Color after Changes in color after

Test Tube
adding Biuret Solution heating
Test Tube 1
None Light blue
(Water)
Test Tube 2
Light yellow Light pink
(Water + Meat)
Test Tube 3
Cream white Cream yellow
(Water + Milk)
Test Tube 4
Green and yellow Yellow and teal green
(Water + Monggo)

Questions and Analysis

1. How many test tubes show a change in color? What does each test tube show?

After heating, there has been a change in Test Tubes 2 and 3. Test Tube 2 indicated a light
pink color, while Test Tube 3 showed a yellow color, showing the presence and absence of
proteins.

2. Was there a change when you mixed water with the Biuret reagent? Why?
Yes, there was a change when water was mixed with the Biuret reagent. There were light blue
particles that were floating over the solution.