Activity No.

3
Test for Starch

I. Overview
Polysaccharide molecules are used as storage forms of energy or as structural
materials. They are composed of large number of monosaccharide units connected by
glycosidic linkages. Most common polysaccharides are large molecules containing
from hundreds to thousands of sugar units. Polysaccharides maybe divided into two
classes: homopolysaccharide
( composed of one type of monosaccharide) and heteropolysaccharide (contains two
or more types of monosaccharides). Starch, the energy reservoir of plant cells, is an
example of homopolysaccharide and is a significant source of carbohydrates in the
human diet. Glucose likewise is found in large quantities throughout the living world
and is a hydrolysis product of homopolysaccharide, starch.

II. Objectives:
To be able to determine if starch and glucose are present in different food
samples.

III. Materials:
Fresh potato, flour, noodles, rice grain, paste, beer, white sugar and any three junk
food samples.

IV. Procedures:
Test for Starch

1. For solid samples, pound the food samples until fine and then place 1 tsp of them in
separate plastic cups.
2. Add 1-2 tsp water to make a solution of equal amount.
3. Place two to five drops of iodine solution or Betadine solution to each sample in the test
tube. Describe what happens.

*The presence of starch is indicated by the change in color; formation of a blue-

black precipitate.
Name:__________________________ Year and Section:_________
Group No. ____________ Date:____________

Activity No. 5
TEST FOR STARCH

A.Test for Starch

Substances Tested Color Obtained Interpretation of Results

V. Conclusion/ Generalization: