Protein Tests

Testing for presence of Carbons and Nitrogen

• Materials Needed
• Casein
• Bunsen Burner
• Test Tube
• Crucible Tong
Testing for presence of Nitrogen
• Materials Needed
• Soda Lime
• Casein
• Mortar and Pestle
• Bunsen Burner
• Crucible Tong
• Red Litmus Paper
Color Tests for Proteins
Biuret Test
• What is this test for?
• To test for the presence of peptide bonds
• Positive result: Peptide bonds present
• Negative result: No peptide bonds present
• What are peptide bonds?
• The bond that links 2 amino groups together
• Materials Needed
• Protein Solution
• Copper Sulfate (CuSO4)
• 5% NaOH
Biuret Test
• Materials Needed
• 1ml of protein solution
• Test tube
• Beaker
• Pipette
Ninhydrin Test
• Materials Needed
• Protein Solution
• Ninhydrin Solution
• Positive result
• Ruhemann’s Purple
Xanthoproteic Test
• What is it?
• Test for the presence of tyrosine and tryptophan
• Positive Result
• Yellow/Orange solution and alkaline pH
• Materials Needed
• Protein Solution
• Concentrated Nitric Acid
• 40% NaOH
• Red Litmus Paper
Millon’s Test
• What is it?
• Used to test presence of tyrosine
• Positive Result
• Red color solution with red precipitate
• Materials Needed
• 1ml protein solution
• Mercuric Nitrate
• Sodium Nitrite
Sakaguchi’s Test
• What is it?
• Tests for the presence of arginine
• Positive Result
• Red color
• Materials needed
• 3ml protein solution
• 40% NaOH
• Alpha-naphthol solution
• Bromine water OR sodium hypobromite
Lead Acetate Test
• What is it?
• Detects presence of sulfur ions in cysteine
• Positive Result
• Brown to Black Color
• Materials Needed
• Protein Solution
• 40% NaOH
• Lead Acetate
Pauly-Diazo Test
• What is it?
• Detects presence of histidine and tyrosine
• Positive Result
• Cherry Red Color
• Materials Needed
• Sulfanilic Acid
• 0.5% sodium nitrite
• 1ml protein solution
• 10% Sodium Carbonate
Hopkins-Cole Test
• What is it?
• Test to detect tryptophan
• Positive Result
• Violet Ring at Junction
• Materials Needed
• Protein Solution (albumin)
• Formaldehyde
• Mercuric Sulfate
• Concentrated Sulfuric Acid
Heller’s Test
• What is it?
• Test to detect presence of albumin in urine
• Positive Result
• White Ring at Junction
• Materials Needed
• Concentrate Nitric Acid
• Urine Sample