Index

1. Aim
2. Apparatus Required
3. Theory
4. Procedure
5. Observation
6. Chemical Reaction
7. Conclusion
8. Bibliography
 Basic Aim of project

To analyze the natural honey for the

presence of different minerals and
carbohydrates.
 Requirement

(a) Apparatus
1. Test tube
2. Test tube stand
3. Burner
4. Water bath

(b) Chemicals
1. Ammonium Chloride Solution (NH4Cl)
2. Ammonium Hydroxide Solution
(NH4OH)
3. Concentrated Nitric acid (conc. HNO3)
4. Ammonium Phosphate (NH4)2PO4
5. Potassium Sulphocyanide Solution (KSCN)

Theory
Honey is thick, sweet, super saturated sugar
solution manufactured by bees to feed their larvae
and for the subsistence during winter.
Bee honey is composed of fructose,
glucose and water in varying proportions and also
contains several enzymes and oils.
The color & flavor depends on the age of the
honey and the source of the nectar.
The coloured honeys are usually of higher quality
than dark colored honeys.
Another high grade honeys are made by bees from
orange blossoms, clover and alfalfa.
A wellknown, poorer grade honey is produced
from Buckwheat.
Honey has a fuel value of about 3307 cal/kg [1520
cal/lbs].

Procedure
Test for Minerals

1.Test for Potassium

2ml of honey is taken in a test tube and picric
acid solution is added. Yellow precipitate
indicates the presence of k+

2.Test for Calcium

2ml of honey is taken in a test tube and
NH4cl solution and NH4OH solution are
added to it. The solution is filtered and to
the filtrate 2ml of ammonium oxalate
solution is added. White ppt. or milkiness
indicates the presence of Ca2+ Ions.

3. Test for Magnesium

2ml of honey is taken in a test tube and
 NH4Cl solution is added to it and then excess
of ammonium phosphate solution is added.
The side of the test tube is scratched with a
glass rod. White precipitate indicates the
presence of Mg2+ ions.
4. Test for Iron
2 ml of honey is taken and drop of conc. HNO3 is
added and it is heated. It is cooled and 2-3 drops
of potassium sulphocynide is added to it. Blood
red color shows the presence of iron.

Test for
Carbohydrates

1. Fehling’s test:
2 ml of honey is taken in a test tube and
1ml each of Fehling’s solution A and
Fehling’s solution B are added to it
and boiled. Red precipitate indicates
the presence of reducing sugars.

2. Tollen’s test:
2-3 ml of aqueous solution of honey
is taken in a test tube. 2-3ml of
tollen’s reagent is added. The test tube
is kept in a boiling water bath for about
ten minutes. A shining silver mirror indicates
the presence of reducing carbohydrates.
Observation Table
Brand of honey taken:
1. Dabur Honey

Sl.No. Test Obeservation Inference

Test for Potassium Yellow ppt is Potassium is

1
Honey + Picric Acid Solution observed present

Test for Calcium

Honey + NH 4Cl Solution + White ppt is not Calcium is
2
NH 4OH Solution filtered + observed absent
Ammonium Oxalate Solution
Test for Magnesium
White ppt is not Magnesium
3 Honey + NH 4OH +
observed is absent
Ammonium Phosphate

Test for Iron

Red colour is Iron is
4 Honey + conc. HNO3 heated
observed present
and cooled + KCNS soln.

Fehling’s Test
Reducing
Honey + 1 ml each of Red ppt is
5 Sugar is
Fehling’s soln. A and observed
present
Fehling’s soln. B
Tollen’s Test Shining silver Reducing
6 Honey + 2-3 ml mirror is Carbohydrate
Tollen’s reagent, test tube observed is present
in water bath for 10 min.
2. Zandu Pure Honey