Chapter 3 : Nutrition

A ctivity 3.1
Aim: To test for the presence of starch, glucose, protein and fat.
Materials: Iodine solution, 1% starch suspension, Benedict's solution, 10% glucose solution, Millon’s
reagent, albumen suspension, ethanol, cooking oil and distilled water
Apparatus: Test tube, dropper, beaker, Bunsen burner, wire gauze, tripod stand, test tube holder,
stopper and test tube rack

A Iodine test for starch

Iodine
Instruction solution

1. Pour 2 ml of starch suspension into a test tube.

2. Add two drops of iodine solution into the test tube 2 ml of 1%
(Figure 3.3). starch suspension
3. Record your observations.
Figure 3.3

B Benedict's test for glucose

Water bath
Glucose solution
Instruction
Wire + Benedict’s solution
1. Pour 2 ml of glucose solution into a test tube. gauze
2. Add 2 ml of Benedict's solution into the test tube
Tripod Bunsen burner
and shake it to mix the solutions. stand
3. Heat the test tube in a water bath for 5 minutes
Figure 3.4
(Figure 3.4).
4. Record your observations. Science

Benedict's test is used to test

C Millon's test for protein the presence of reducing
sugars. Examples of reducing
sugars are glucose, maltose,
Instruction galactose and fructose.
1. Pour 5 ml of albumen suspension into
a test tube.
2. Add two to three drops of Millon's reagent
into the test tube (Figure 3.5 (a)). Then, Water
shake the test tube to mix the solutions. bath
Millon’s Albumen
3. Heat the test tube in a water bath for 5 Wire suspension +
reagent
minutes (Figure 3.5 (b)). gauze Millon’s reagent
4. Record your observations.
Albumen Bunsen burner
suspension
(a) (b)
Figure 3.5

3.1.2 51
 D Alcohol-emulsion test for fat

Instruction
1. Pour 3 ml of ethanol into a test tube. Cooking Ethanol +
oil cooking oil
2. Add 2 to 3 drops of cooking oil into the test tube
(Figure 3.6 (a)). Then, close the test tube with a stopper.
3. Shake the test tube slowly and leave it in a test tube rack Ethanol Distilled
for 2 to 3 minutes. water
4. Place 4 to 5 drops of the mixture from the test tube into (a) (b)
another test tube filled with 20 ml of distilled water Figure 3.6
(Figure 3.6 (b)).
5. Close the test tube with the stopper and shake slowly. Leave Safety
Precaution
the test tube in the test tube rack for 2 to 3 minutes.
Ethanol is flammable.
6. Record your observations.
Please keep it away from
Observation fire.

Activity Observation
A
B
C
D

Questions
1. Why is the heating in the Benedict's is test and Millon’s test carried out in a water bath?
2. You are given a food sample in powder form. How do you determine the food class of the food
sample?
3. What are the inferences you can make from each of the activity above?

Formative Practice 3.1

1. Name the food class based on the functions given.

Food class Function

(a) Regulates body temperature
(b) Heals damaged body tissues
(c) Required for energy
(d) Protects from diseases

2. Name the diseases caused by deficiencies of the following vitamins.

(a) Vitamin A (c) Vitamin C
(b) Vitamin B (d) Vitamin D
3. State the effects to our health caused by deficiencies of the following minerals.
(a) Iodine (b) Iron (c) Phosphorus

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