BIO091

Lab 1 Report

Identification of Biological Molecules in Food

Prepared for:

Mrs Norfazlina Binti Baharuddin

Prepared on:
6th September 2021

Prepared by:

PI080S30 / Group 2

Name ID Student
MOHAMMAD AQIL BIN IBRAHIM 2021896586
MUHAMMAD ALIF HUSAIRY BIN SAREH JEFRI 2021214898
NUR HADI HAKIM BIN NORHAKIMI 2021209956
MUHAMMAD AFIQ HAIKAL BIN AMINUDDIN 2021473056
MUHAMMAD DANIAL FITRI BIN ZAMRI 2021491396
 IDENTIFICATION OF BIOLOGICAL MOLECULES IN FOOD

Mohammad Aqil1, Alif Husairy2, Hadi Hakim3, Afiq Haikal4 and Danial Fitri5
1
Universiti Teknologi Mara
2021896586@student.uitm.edu.my
2
Universiti Teknologi Mara
2021214898@student.uitm.edu.my
3
Universiti Teknologi Mara
2021209956@student.uitm.edu.my
4
Universiti Teknologi Mara
2021473056@student.uitm.edu.my
5
Universiti Teknologi Mara
2021491396@student.uitm.edu.my

1. OBJECTIVE
To test the presence of biological molecules that are present in certain food samples which are carbohydrates, lipids
and proteins using various tests.

2. INTRODUCTION
Biomolecules, also called biological molecules, are one of many substances produced by cells and living organisms.
Biomolecules come in different sizes and structures and perform different functions. The amino acid sequences of the
four major biomolecules present in food which are nucleic acids, proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids.[1]

Among biomolecules, nucleic acids, namely DNA and RNA, have the unique function of storing the genetic code of
organisms. The nucleotide sequence determines the amino acid sequence of the protein, which is vital for life on earth.
Twenty different amino acids can appear in a protein, the order in which they appear plays a fundamental role in
determining the structure and function of the protein.[1]

The protein itself is a major structural element of the cell. They also act as transporters, moving nutrients and other
molecules into and out of cells, and catalysing most of the enzymes and chemical reactions that occur in living things.
Proteins also form antibodies and hormones and affect the activity of genes. Proteins are also needed to replace
damaged tissue and growth. Lack of protein may also address the skin, hair, and nail problems, the cause of
kwashiorkor which is known as edematous malnutrition. This phenomenon is best seen in children in developing
countries.[1]

Similarly, carbohydrates It consists mainly of molecules containing carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms, is an
essential energy source and structural component of all life and is one of the most abundant biomolecules on the
planet. They are made up of four types of sugar units: monosaccharides, disaccharides, oligosaccharides, and
polysaccharides. An example of a monosaccharide is glucose, which our body needs as an energy source, and during
cellular respiration, a glucose molecule, C₆H₁₂O₆, oxidized to form ATP and uses it for cellular activity. Glucagon and
insulin hormones play their role to control blood sugar and keep it at set levels. If the bloodstream contains large
amounts of glucose for a long time, it can damage the blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood to the organs. High
blood sugar can increase your risk of heart disease, kidney disease, and neurological disease.[1]

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Lipids, another important biomolecule of living organisms, play a variety of roles, including acting as a source of
stored energy and acting as a chemical transfer. They also separate cells from the environment, forming membranes
that partition the interior of the cell, producing organelles such as the nucleus and mitochondria in higher (more
complex) organisms. Lipids are used for energy storage and maintain optimal temperature. High amounts of lipids can
cause many illnesses such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, hypothyroidism, alcoholism, kidney disease,
liver disease and stress.[1]

3. MATERIALS AND APPARATUS

3.1. Materials
Distilled water, glucose, albumin, starch, vegetable oil, Benedict’s solution, Biuret reagent, Lugol’s solution,
Sudan IV solution and peanuts.
3.2 Apparatus
Calibrated dropper, test tube, test tube rack, water bath / hot plate (and beaker), mortar and pestle, spatula,
and vortex mixer.

4. METHODS AND MATERIALS

Firstly, we need to fill a beaker about 250 ml with water and bring water bath to a gentle boil which the temperature
must be above 95 degrees Celsius on the hot plate. Get 8 test tubes include to label them and place them in a test tube
rack.10 peanuts required and grind by using pestle and mortar.

4.1. Glucose And Peanut

For the procedure between glucose and peanut in determine the presence of reducing sugar, 2 test tubes need to be
label each of them as glucose and peanut. Next, 2.0 ml glucose solution are put into test tube labelled glucose while
half a spatula of ground peanut put into test tube labelled peanut. Following, the color of Benedict’s reagent necessary
to take note. After that, a calibrated dropper used to take 2.0 ml Benedict’s reagent and place it into both test tubes.
Both test tubes placed in water bath or boiling bath for 5 minutes. Then, any color changes observed.

4.2. Albumin And Peanut

For the procedure between albumin and peanut in determine the presence of protein, 2 test tubes need to be label each
of them as albumin and peanut. Next, 2.0 ml albumin solution are put into test tube labelled albumin while half a
spatula of ground peanut put into test tube labelled peanut. Following, the color of Biuret reagent necessary to take
note. After that, a calibrated dropper used to take 2.0 ml Biuret reagent and place it into both test tubes. Then, any
color changes observed.

4.3. Starch And Peanut

For the procedure between starch and peanut in determine the presence of polysaccharide, 2 test tubes need to be label
each of them as starch and peanut. Next, 2.0 ml glucose solution are put into test tube labelled starch while half a
spatula of ground peanut put into test tube labelled peanut.Following, the color of Lugol’s reagent necessary to take
note.After that,10 drops of Lugol’s reagent added in both test tubes.Then,any color changes observed.

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4.4. Vegetable Oil And Peanut
For the procedure between vegetable oil and peanut in determine the presence of lipid , 2 test tubes need to be label
each of them as vegetable oil and peanut.First, 2.0 ml of distilled water put into both test tube.Then, 2.0 ml vegetable
oil are put into test tube labelled vegetable oil while half a spatula of ground peanut put into test tube labelled
peanut.Following, the color of Sudan IV solution necessary to take note.After that,10 drops of Sudan IV solution
added in both test tubes.To mix them,use vortex.Soon, another 2.0 ml of distilled water added into both test
tubes.Then,any color changes in solution in test tubes observed.

5. RESULT

FOOD TEST TEST TUBE INITIAL COLOUR FINAL COLOUR CONCLUSION

BENEDICT TEST Glucose Blue Brick-red Presence of

precipitate Reducing sugar

Peanut Blue Green Presence of

Reducing sugar

BIURET TEST Albumin Cloudy blue Violet purple Presence of

protein

Peanut Blue Violet purple Presence of protein

LUGOL TEST Starch Yellowish brown Blue black Presence of starch

Peanut Yellowish brown Blue black Presence of starch

SUDAN IV TEST Vegetable oil 2 layers Sudan stains the Presence of lipid
Yellow vegetable oil with
(Vegetable oil) red colour
Clear water

Peanut 2 layers Sudan stains the Presence of lipid

Red peanut oil with
(Peanut) Brick- red colour
Clear water

The table show the results when the peanut tested by Benedict,Lugol,Sudan IV and Biuret.[5][8]

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6. DISCUSSION
First, Benedict’s reagent is used to detect any presence of sugar. As we can see at the table, when Benedict’s reagent
tested glucose it changed the initial colour which is blue to brick-red precipitate same like peanut when it tested with
Benedict’s reagent it changed the blue colour of Benedict’s reagent to green. It is show that a peanut have presence of
sugar. When Benedict’s solution and medium carbohydrates are heated, the solution can turns to green, orange or
brick red precipitate. This reaction is due to the reduction of the properties of moderate carbohydrates. The Copper (II)
ion in Benedict’s solution is reduced to the Copper (I) ion, which causes a discoloration.[6]

Next, Biuret's Reagent is used to determine any presence of protein. So, based on the table it shows that as a positive
control which is albumin, it will change the cloudy blue colour of Biuret’s reagent to violet purple. Same goes like
peanut when it is tested with Biuret’s reagent the blue colour will turn to violet purple. This reaction shows that a
peanut also has the presence of protein. Actually, peanuts are rich in protein, fat and various healthy nutrients. Also, it
can reduce risk of heart disease.[7][2]

Lugol's solution is an aqueous solution of iodine. It is used to determine the presence of carbohydrates such as starch.
As a positive control, a starch in this experiment shows that the initial colour of Lugol’s solution which is yellowish
brown will be changed to blue black’s colour. So, when the Lugol’s solution has been dropped into a test tube that
contains peanut, it also makes the same result like starch which is it turns a yellowish colour of Lugol’s solution to
blue black. Based on this reaction, it is shown that there is a peanut presence of starch. The Iodine test is based on the
fact that polyiodide ions form colored adsorption complexes with helical chains of glucose residue of amylase, dextrin
or glycogen.[3]

Lastly, Sudan IV solution is used to detect any presence of lipids. Based on the table, a positive control which is
vegetable oil will change the initial colour Sudan IV solution from 2 layers of yellow to red colour. The same reaction
that will be shown by Sudan IV solution when it drops into test tubes that contain a peanut. This reaction shows that
peanuts also have a presence of lipids. Sudan IV solution is a fat-soluble dye that stains lipids red. Two parameters are
expected in positive results of the Sudan IV solution test which have two layers to indicate the presence of water
insoluble substances. Sudan IV solution will move to the top layer and its color is red. This indicates that the top layer
is fat which is the lipid.[4]

7. CONCLUSION
All four tests conducted in this experiment showed the presence of biological macromolecules which are reducing
sugar, protein, starch, and lipid in the peanut. The Benedict test indicated the presence of reducing sugar in the peanut.
Other than that, the Biuret test shows the presence of protein in the peanut. Besides, the Lugol test indicated that the
peanut contains starch. Moreover, the Sudan IV test detects the presence of lipid in the peanut.

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8. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We would wish to express our deepest gratitude to all or any those that provided us the likelihood to finish this report.
A special gratitude I give to our lecturer, Mrs Norfazlina Binti Baharuddin, whose contribution in stimulating
suggestions and encouragement, helped us to coordinate our experiment especially in scripting this report. We even
have to understand the guidance given by our lecturer especially in our report that has improved our report writing
skills because of their comment and advices. Other than that, a special credit goes to our teammate who help me to
assemble the parts and give suggestions about the report.

9. REFERENCE
[1] Kara Rogers (Aug 09,2016), Biomolecule, https://www.britannica.com/science/biomolecule.
[2] Atli Arnarson (May 07,2019), Peanuts 101: Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods/peanuts
[3] Anupama Sapkota (July 18,2021), Iodine Test - Definition, Principle, Procedure, Results, Use
https://microbenotes.com/iodine-test/
[4] (March 18,2021), Sudan red solution, https://theory.labster.com/sudan/
[5] Experiment 1 | Identification of Biological Molecules in Food (video file), Available from:
<https://youtu.be/JmhAG62c-9A> [15 August 2021]
[6] Sagar Aryal (August 15,2019), Benedict’s Test - Principle, Composition, Preparation, Procedure and
Result Interpretation, https://microbiologyinfo.com/benedicts-test-principle-composition-preparation-
procedure-and-result-interpretation/
[7] Gaurab Karki (April 20, 2018), Biuret Test- Principle, Requirements, Reagents, Preparation, Procedure
and Result, https://www.onlinebiologynotes.com/biuret-test-principle-requirements-reagents-
preparation-procedure-and-result/
[8] Chemical Test to Identify Biomolecules, https://sites.google.com/a/wrps.net/cns-ontl/cns-2nd-semester-
weblinks/unit-7-resources---lab/chemical-tests-to-identify-
biomolecules?tmpl=%2Fsystem%2Fapp%2Ftemplates%2Fprint%2F&showPrintDialog=1