LAB REPORT: Identifying Nutrients

By:

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this experiment was to identify and explore how nutrients are
found in food.

HYPOTHESIS

The question was, which macromolecules were found in the mystery food
sample? My hypothesis was that there would be at least, two or three
macromolecules since that is what I believe is in the normal amount of food.
The only dependent variable was the mystery food because it was the only
element to change in this experiment in order to find what kind of macros
where in it. The independent variables were protein, lipids, polysaccharides
and, monosaccharides. Finally, the controlled variables, the gelatin, water,
oil, poly sac sol., monodic sol., to make sure what was in the mystery food.

MATERIALS

- 100ml beaker

- Pipette

- Mystery food sample (4 TEST TUBES)

- Hot plate

- Hot pad

- Latex insulated gloves

- The 4 indicator solution

- The 5 controlled solutions

PROCEDURE

1. Mix the mystery food into water until dissolved, put into test tubes.

2. Put the mystery food test tube on rack next to gelatin and water tubes,
then, put the biuret solution into each of the tubes using a pipette.

3. Put the second mystery food tube next to vegetable oil and water test
tubes, then, using a pipette put the sudan red into each.

4. Put the third mystery food tube next to the polysaccharide mix and water
tubes, then, using the pipette put the Lugol’s solution into each.

5. Now, put the last mystery food tube on a rack with the monosaccharides
solution and water tubes, then, using a pipette put the Benedict’s
solution into each, put the rack into the hot water and wait 3 minutes.

6. Finally, gather up the data you have recorded and form a conclusion.

DATA AND EVIDENCE

1. As shown in the image below, the mystery food sample has no protein in
it since the sample is the same color as the water, since it didn’t turn
pink/purple, whereas the gelatin does have protein in it, since it did turn
pink/purple.

2. As shown in the image below, the food sample does have lipids in it
since the red sudan floated on top of it, unlike the water which dissolved.

3. Once again, as shown in the image below, the food sample does not
have any polysaccharides in it since the sample stays or reacts the same
unlike the actual polysaccharide mixture which turned blue/black.

4. Lastly, as shown in the image below, the food sample does not have
monosaccharides either since it stayed the same color after piping in
Benedict’s solution and heating it.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, my hypothesis was wrong since the data shows that only one
out of the four macromolecules were actually in the food sample. The has
sown that only lipids were in the food sample. If I were to improve this
experiment I’d do it in a more controlled environment with the same
temperature, just to men everything more controlled.