PASCUAL, Jolo P.

BIOCHEMLAB
BSMD 2Y2 - 7
Week 14: Proteins
Guide Questions:
1. State the principle of sulphosalicylic acid test and heller’s test.
The Sulphosalicylic acid test is used to detect albumin, hemoglobin, myoglobin, and Bence Jones proteins in urine.
Proteins are precipitated by 5-sulphosalicylic acid. Any resulting turbidity will give an approximation of the amount of
protein present in the urine, which can be subjectively quantitated visually or more precisely quantitated using
photometry. This test uses 3% 5 sulphosalicylic acid and 10% Glacial acetic acid as reagents. Results are
interpreted according to the turbidity of the solution in the test tube.

Heller’s test is a biochemical test performed to detect proteins in a sample by the denaturation of those proteins by
the addition of strong acids. The test is based on the principle of precipitation of proteins, which in this case takes
place in the presence of mineral acids like nitric acid. Protein precipitation by acids relies on the changes in the pH
of the solution. The addition of acid to a protein sample causes precipitation of proteins at the point where the acid
comes in contact with the protein solution. As a result, a white coagulated ring is formed between the two layers of
protein solution and the mineral acid (HNO3).

References
Heller’s Test- Definition, Principle, Procedure, Result, Uses. (2020, November 23). Retrieved from Microbe Notes:
https://microbenotes.com/hellers-test/

Sulphosalicylic Acid Test for Proteinuria: Principle and Procedure. (2021, March 21). Retrieved from Laboratory Tests:
http://laboratorytests.org/sulphosalicylic-acid-test/

2. What are the similarities and differences of sulphosalicylic acid test and heller’s test?
Both the sulphosalicylic acid test and heller’s test are tests used to detect proteins. Both uses random urine as their
specimen, however heller’s test also uses blood. Last and most importantly, both these tests use the principle of
precipitation of proteins in the presence of an acid.

While both use the principle of precipitation by acid, they differ in the acid used. Sulphosalicylic acid test uses, well,
5-sulphosalicylic acid while heller’s test uses nitric acid. The amount of protein present can be quantitated visually
or more precisely quantitated using photometry in sulphosalicylic acid, while heller’s test is qualitative. In
sulphosalicylic acid test, results are based on the turbidity of the sample; in heller’s test, results are based on the
formation of a white coagulated ring between the two layers of the solution.

References
Heller’s Test- Definition, Principle, Procedure, Result, Uses. (2020, November 23). Retrieved from Microbe Notes:
https://microbenotes.com/hellers-test/

Sulphosalicylic Acid Test for Proteinuria: Principle and Procedure. (2021, March 21). Retrieved from Laboratory Tests:
http://laboratorytests.org/sulphosalicylic-acid-test/