BIOLOGY

Food Tests:
Starch Test:

• Put sample in a test tube

• Add water to make it a solution
• Add iodine solution
• Is starch is present the solution changes colour from yellowish brown to Blue Black.
• If starch is not present the solution remains yellowish brown.

Reducing sugars (carbohydrates) test:

Note: This test is only applicable on all sugars (monosaccharide and disaccharide) EXCEPT FOR SUCROSE.

• Add sample to a test tube

• Add Benedict’s Reagent
• Put test tube in water bath for heating
• If reducing sugars are present the solution turns from blue to yellow, orange, red (fire colours)
• If reducing sugars are not present the solution remains blue.

Proteins Test:

• Put sample in a test tube

• Add water to make a solution
• Add Biuret Reagent
• If proteins are present in the solution turns Purple
• If proteins are not present the solution remains blue.

Note: Biuret Reagent is blue in colour and made of copper sulphate and a small amount of sodium
hydroxide.

Fats Test:

• Add sample to a test tube

• Add ethanol
• Add water and shake well
• If fats are present the solution becomes unclear
• If fats are not present the solution remains clear

General Table:

Nutrient Test Colour Positive Negative

Starch Iodine sol. yellow/brown Blue/black yellow/brown
Carbs Benedict’s Blue Red (fire) Blue
Proteins Biuret reagent Blue Purple Blue
Fats Ethanol/water - cloudy clear