Name: Shaniel Richards Lab #: Date: 19th August 2021

TITLE: FOOD TEST LAB 2

AIM: To test an unknown food sample for the presence of starch, protein, fats and reducing sugars.

APPARATUS AND MATERIALS:

Four test tubes
Sodium hydroxide
Copper sulfate solution
Iodine solution
Benedict's solution
Hot Water
Food sample
Unknown food sample

METHOD:
Four test tubes were gathered and labeled 1-4. 1ml of the unknown food sample was placed in all test tubes. In
test tube one, 1 ml of sodium hydroxide solution was added. Ten drops of copper sulfate solution were added in
the test tube. The test tube was shaken sideways, gently, to mix the content and observations were recorded.
(Biuret test). To test tube 2, two drops of iodine solution were added and the test tube was shaken gently and
observations were recorded (Iodine test). In test tube 3, ten drops ( 2ml) of Benedict's solution were added,
enough to colour the mixture blue. The test tube was placed in the hot water and the mixture was heated for 5
minutes and the observations were recorded ( Benedict's test). One drop of the food sample from test tube 4 was
taken and placed on one side of the piece of filter paper. On the other end of the filter paper a drop of water was
placed. The fluids were left to dry, and then the paper was held up to the light and observed. ( Grease spot).

RESULTS:

A TABLE SHOWING THE RESULTS OF THE RESULTS OBTAINED WHEN AN UNKNOWN FOOD
SAMPLE WAS TESTED FOR STARCH, FATS AND OIL, REDUCING SUGARS AND PROTEINS.
Unknown food sample ( liquid)
Test Observation Inference
Grease spot Cloudy Fats and oil is present

A yellow precipitate Reducing sugar is present

Benedict’s solution
formed
The food sample turned Protein is present
Biuret reaction
purple in color
Iodine No visible colour change Starch is not present

DISCUSSION:

A balanced diet is a diet in which all the nutrients or components needed to maintain health are present in
appropriate proportions. A balanced food diet is vital as it nourishes the body with the nutrients, minerals and
Name: Shaniel Richards Lab #: Date: 19th August 2021

vitamins it needs in the correct quantity. Food test is a method by which certain components of a food mixture
can be detected. Food test involves adding a reagent to a food sample which changes color depending on the
biological molecules that are present.

In this experiment the nutrients found in the unknown food sample are protein, fats and oil and reducing sugar.
Protein is a substance containing amino acids. Protein gives tissues their shape and helps them work the way
they should. Protein also helps in tissue regeneration, wound healing and nerve function. The lack of protein can
cause swelling, fatty liver, skin degeneration and also increase the severity of infections and stunt growth in
children. It also may lead to the body suffering from kwashiorkor. Fats and oil supplies calories, essential fats
and helps the body to observe soluble vitamins such as: A,D,E and K. Fats and oil also help in keeping the body
warm and supporting cell growth. Lack of fats and oil cause dry rashes, hair loss, and a weaker immune system
and may lead to the body experiencing osteoporosis. Reducing sugar is a sugar that serves as a reducing agent
due to its free aldehyde or ketone functional groups in its molecular structure. The intake of reducing sugars
lowers the risk of obesity and also developing diabetes. Lack of reducing sugars lead to light-headedness,
weakness and dizziness.Which can lead to hypoglycemia.

This unknown food sample is a source of fats and oil, protein and reducing sugars. However, it cannot be
considered as a balanced diet because all the food nutrients were not tested for and it does not contain starch
either nor was it tested for minerals and vitamins and also the quantity of the nutrients present in it was not
tested. On the other hand, this food sample will be a good recommendation for someone suffering from
kwashiorkor, osteoporosis and hypoglycemia because it contains the nutrients the person lacks and therefore
needs.

PRECAUTION:
1. Measurements of solution should be read at eye level

SOURCE OF ERROR:

CONCLUSION:
An unknown food sample was tested for the various nutrients: starch, protein, fats and oil and reducing sugars
and was found to have only fats and oil and reducing sugar.

REFLECTION:
From this experiment I learned that there are different types of food tests. I also learn which one is used to test
for the presence of a specific nutrient. I then learned about the key observation that will tell me that a certain
nutrient is really present in a food sample. I also realized how vital a food test is. Food tests ensure food security
and without food tests our health will be at risk. I now understand why the FDA collects samples from food
laboratories or factories, specifically the food contact surfaces to see if the environment and those surfaces
contain bacteria such as salmonella as the absence of proper monitoring and control can contribute to the
contamination of finished food products.
Name: Shaniel Richards Lab #: Date: 19th August 2021