School Science Lessons
Food, food tests, plant physiology, vitamins
2012-01-28 SP
Please send comments to: J.Elfick@uq.edu.au
Table of contents
9.109.0 Biochemistry
Food
9.3.11.0 Food tests
9.109.0 Biochemistry
6.6.7 Absorption of oxygen during plant
respiration
9.3.14 Action of lipase in castor oil seeds
9.3.10 Activity of diastase
16.3.6.4 Alkaloids produced by plants
from amino acids
16.8.0 Aromatic hydrocarbons
16.7.16 Artificial sweetener
7.8.3.6 Bean curd, Prepare bean curd:
14.3.0 Bioluminescence
16.10.1 Breakdown starch to sugars, hydrolysis
of starch, iodine test, Fehling's test
3.55 Brownian movement
16.9.1 Burn carbohydrates, fats and proteins
16.4.1.1 Carboxylic acids, fatty acids and their
salts, Carboxylic acids group: (-COOH), suffix: -oic acid
16.3.3.0.6 Carboxylic acids and
fatty acids
16.4.1.01 Carbonyls
16.3.3.1 Carnauba wax, (non-slip
wax), Waxes: See 3
9.214 Cellulose digestion
16.3.0 Chemistry of natural products
9.12.0 Colloids, diffusion, semipermeable
membrane, dialysis
16.7.15 Commercially available test reagents
16.4.1.1.1 Dicarboxylic acids, two carboxyl groups
(-dioic acid
16.4.4 EDTA, ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid,
(HOOC.CH2)2N(CH2)2N(CH2.COOH)2
16.3.3.0.3 Essential oils,
volatile oils, ethereal oils
16.5.1.0 Esters, derivatives of
fatty acids, (RCOOR') Esters group: (-COOR) suffix: -oate
16.8.3 Extraction of caffeine and benzoic acid
from soft drinks, e.g. cola and lemonade
16.3.3.0.2 Fixed oils
9.3.11.0 Food, food tests
6.4.1 Geotropism, clinostat
9.6.0 Germination of seeds
9.182 Glucose, Tests for glucose and starch with
"Testape"
9.128 Heat different foods
16.9.2 Heat food with copper (II) oxide
Topic 19 Household chemicals, acids
in the home, composition of food
9.129 Hydrolysis of starch by dilute hydrochloric
acid
9.130 Hydrolysis of starch by salivary amylase (ptyalin)
9.131 Hydrolysis of sucrose by dilute acids
16.4.4.1 Ion exchange resins, deionized water
9.3.15 Moisture content of plant organs and ash
content of plant dry matter
16.11.0 Organic chemistry terms
9.8.0 Photosynthesis
9.15.0 Plasmolysis, suction pressure,
turgor pressure
16.4.3 Prepare ethanedioic acid-2-water (oxalic
acid) ionization reaction
16.4.2 Prepare ethanoic acid (acetic acid) ionization
reaction
16.8.2 Prepare ferric tannate with tea leaves
3.37 Respiration, carbon dioxide and
respiration
9.10.0 Respiration of organisms
6.6.3 Surface / volume ratio of soil particles
See: Tests for
9.138 Tests for nitrogen compounds in food, soda
lime test
9.3.11 Tests for oxidase and peroxidase in plant
tissues
9.3.12 Tests for zymase and catalase in yeast
9.18.0 Transpiration, conduction
of water, stomates, potometer, root pressure
16.4.1.1.2 Tricarboxylic acids, citric acid
9.7.0 Tropisms and nastic movements
16.6.6: Xanthoproteic tests for proteins
9.3.11.0 Food tests
16.3.7.0 Fehling's tests for aldehydes in solution
16.3.7.2 Oxidation of glucose with sodium hydroxide
and methylene blue, blue bottle experiment
16.3.7.1 Reducing sugars and nonreducing sugars
16.3.7.3 Silver mirror tests for aldehydes, Tollens'
test
16.6.4 Tests for albumin and gelatine
9.132a Tests for amylose and amylopectin
6.5.13 Tests for carbon dioxide with bromothymol
blue
9.154 Tests for carbon dioxide with limewater
9.134 Tests for carbohydrates, Molisch's test, (alpha-naphthol
test), Solubility in water
9.135 Tests for cellulose, iodine tests for cellulose
9.136 Tests for cellulose, solubility tests for cellulose
9.182 Tests for glucose and starch with "Testape"
9.137 Tests for fats and oils
16.4.5 Tests for fats. proportion of fats in foods
9.138 Tests for nitrogen compounds in food, soda
lime test
16.4.1.0 Tests for organic acids and alcohols
9.3.11 Tests for oxidase and peroxidase in plant
tissues
16.6.8 Tests for proteins, Albustix test strips,
tetrabromophenol blue solution
16.6.5 Tests for proteins, biuret test
16.6.2 Tests for proteins, burning test for proteins
16.6.1 Tests for proteins, heat test for proteins
16.6.7 Tests for proteins, Millon's test
16.6.10 Tests for proteins, Sakaguchi's arginine
test
16.6.6 Tests for proteins, xanthoproteic test
9.141 Tests for reducing sugars, test urine, Benedict's
test
16.10.1 Tests for starch, breakdown to sugars,
hydrolysis of starch, iodine test, Fehling's test
9.142 Tests for starch, Fehling's tests for starch
9.132 Tests for starch, iodine tests for starch
6.5.12 Tests for sugars
9.140 Tests for sugars, simple sugars, reducing sugars,
Fehling's test
16.6.11 Tests for sulfur in proteins
16.4.9.1 Tests for unsaturated fats,
acidified potassium manganate (VII) solution test
16.4.7.1 Tests for unsaturated fats, bromine water
test
16.4.9.0 Tests for unsaturated hydrocarbons,
acidified potassium manganate (VII) solution test
16.4.8 Tests for unsaturated hydrocarbons,
alkaline potassium manganate (VII) solution test
16.4.7.0 Tests for unsaturated hydrocarbons,
bromine water test
9.143 Tests for vitamin C, (L-ascorbic acid)
9.144 Tests for wood
16.3.1.6 Tests for wood, hemicellulose,
lignin
9.3.12 Tests for zymase and catalase in yeast
6.5.12 Tests for sugars
Maize, sugar beet and sprouting onion bulbs are suitable
for sugar tests because they contain stored simple sugar rather than the
large starch molecule. Cut pieces 2 cm long and put in 2 mL sugar test solution
in a Pyrex test-tube and boil the mixture. Make the sugar test solution from
173 g of sodium citrate, 200 g of crystalline sodium carbonate, and 17.3
g of crystalline copper (II) sulfate. Dissolve the carbonate and citrate
in 100 mL water. These substances will dissolve faster if the
water is warmed. Dissolve the copper (II) sulfate in 100 mL water and slowly
pour this solution into the carbonate citrate solution. Cool and add water
to make 1 litre of test solution. Show the colour change by dissolving a
little cane sugar in 10 mL water in a test-tube. Add saliva that
will change the cane sugar (sucrose) into a simple sugar (glucose). Add 3
mL of the test solution and boil over a heat source. A yellowish or reddish
precipitate forms when simple sugar is present.
6.5.13 Tests for carbon dioxide with bromothymol
blue
Bromothymol blue solution is used to show the presence of carbon dioxide.
Fill four test-tubes three quarters full of water. Add 25 drops of bromothymol
blue to each tube. Put a sprig of Elodea or other small water plant in two
of the tubes. With a drinking straw, blow bubbles into one tube not containing
a plant, and then into one with a plant. Note the colour change that shows
the presence of carbon dioxide. Put stoppers in the four test-tubes and note
the changes within 15 minutes to an hour. Repeat the experiment, but put
the tubes in a dark place, a closed desk.
9.3.10 Activity of diastase
1. Prepare active diastase
1.1. Buy taka-diastase from the chemist and prepare a 0.1% solution, or,
1.2. Germinate barley grains on damp filter paper until the shoots begin
to emerge, crush with a mortar and pestle, add 50 mL water then filter.
The filtrate will contain active diastase.
2. Boil half the active diastase solution. Prepare a 1% solution of starch
and place 5 mL in one each of two test-tubes. Add an equal quantity of the
unboiled or boiled diastase extract to the two test-tubes. Periodically take
a drop of the mixture from each tube and test its reaction with dilute iodine
on a white tile. At first the blue-black starch colour occurs in both test-tubes.
However, this colour in the test-tube containing unboiled enzyme is soon
replaced by reddish colours, and finally no colour, showing that starch has
been converted to simpler substances, mostly to sugars. The temporary production
of red colours occurs because of the formation of intermediate substances,
e.g. dextrin. The mixture containing boiled enzyme will continue to give
the starch reaction. Apply the Fehling's test to each test-tube. The above
experiment will proceed faster if the tubes are placed in a water bath at
a temperature of 30oC to 40oC. Compare the time required
for the reaction to reach completion at room temperature and at the higher
temperature.
9.3.11 Tests for oxidase and peroxidase in plant
tissues
These enzymes may be detected by means of a 1% solution of gum guaiacum
in 60% alcohol. Pound different plant tissues with water using a mortar
and pestle. Decant the extract into a white dish and test with the gum guaiacum.
If oxidase is present, a blue oxidation product of a constituent of the gum
will be formed. If no colour change occurs, add hydrogen peroxide (5 vols)
to the same mixture. A blue colour indicates that peroxidase is present.
Potato and carrot give the oxidase reaction, cabbage and turnip give the
peroxidase reaction. Tissues containing oxidase often turn brown when cut
surfaces are exposed to the air.
9.3.12 Tests for zymase and catalase in yeast
1. Place a mixture of fresh yeast, glucose and water in the proportion
of 1:1:10 in a saccharimeter or double test-tube set at 30oC
to 40oC. A gas forms that turns limewater milky. Ethyl alcohol
is present in the fermenting mixture. The fermentation of the sugar occurs
under the influence of the zymase complex of enzymes. Repeat the experiment
with other sugars, e.g. sucrose.
2. To show that yeast contain a very active catalase enzyme, set up a double
test-tube with the inner tube filled with 2 vols hydrogen peroxide. Add
1 g yeast. Observe the rapid evolution of a gas. Test the gas with a glowing
splint to show it is oxygen.
9.3.14 Action of lipase in castor oil seeds
Lipase is an esterase enzyme that hydrolyses fats (glycerides) to form
glycerol and fatty acids. It occurs in milk and milk products and is often
included in commercial detergent solutions. Ingestion of large amounts
is harmful. Lipases are produced by the bacteria Bacillus megabacterium
and Bacillus subtilis and the fungus Rhizopus stolonifera.
Lipase is used as a flavouring enzyme, E1104.
Shell about 10 g seeds and divide into two portions. Use a mortar and
pestle to crush one portion with 4 g of castor oil and 5 mL water. Treat
the second portion in the same way, but use 5 mL N/10 sulfuric acid instead
of the 5 mL water. Allow both to stand for about one hour, then to each
add 25 mL of alcohol. Then titrate the free acid in each with a normal solution
of caustic soda, using phenolphthalein as an indicator. Note that the second
portion, which was pounded with acid, contains a much greater amount of
free acid. This shows that the activity of lipase present in the seeds has
been accelerated in an acid medium.
9.3.15 Moisture content of
plant organs and ash content of plant dry matter
1. Measure the moisture content of plant organs, e.g. leaves, tubers
by heating shredded or ground weighed samples in an oven at 95oC
to 100oC. Leave the samples in the oven overnight, then cool
them in a desiccator and weigh them again. Replace the samples in the oven
for two hours and then weigh them again Calculate the percentage moisture
content of the original material.
2. Test cabbage or other leaves, storage organs such as carrot or potato,
or seeds. Heat 10 g samples in dishes in an oven at 100oC. Before
taking samples shred materials such as cabbage or carrot and grind seeds
in a mill. Leave the samples in the oven overnight, then cool in a desiccator
and weigh again. Replace the material in the oven for a further few hours
and then weigh again, to make sure that all moisture has been driven off.
Calculate the percentage moisture content of the original material.
3. Heat the dry remainder to 485oC to decompose any remaining
organic compounds and produce the ash residue. It consists of oxides and
salts containing anions, e.g. chlorides and other halides, phosphates,
sulfates. It also contains cations, e.g. calcium, iron, magnesium, and
manganese, potassium, sodium. The term "ash content of food" refers to the
percentage weight of the residues of such heating but no "ash" is added
to food.
9.128 Heat different foods
See 19.3.4.3: Non-enzymatic browning,
caramelization
See 19.3.4.4: Non-enzymatic browning,
the Maillard reaction
1. Prepare in separate test-tubes small samples of the following:
1.1 Carbohydrate, e.g. starch or sugar
1.2 Fat, e.g. butter
1.3 Protein, e.g. meat.
Heat the samples gently, then more strongly until they begin to burn. Burning
carbohydrates have a smell of caramel. Burning fats produce acrolein that
makes the eyes water. Heated proteins produce ammonia-like compounds with
different odours. Continue heating each sample until only a residue of carbon
remains. The three food samples decompose on heating to leave a black solid,
carbon. Clean the test-tubes without delay.
2. Put a small sample of starch in a test-tube. Hold the test-tube almost
horizontally and heat the starch over a flame. Be careful! Hot glass can
cause severe skin burns so wear thick protective gloves and handle with care.
Note the liquid that appears nearest the flame at the bottom of the test-tube.
Test the liquid for water with cobalt (II) chloride. The cobalt chloride
turns blue so the liquid is water.
3. Repeat the experiment with the same quantity of the following:
3.1 Granulated sugar
3.2 Olive oil
3.3 Boiled egg white.
When testing the egg white, note the appearance of a thick, white mist
and an ammonia-like smell. Hold a moistened strip of red litmus paper in
the mist. It turns blue. Only the egg white produces this reaction because
only it contains nitrogen.
4. Heat food with copper (II) oxide in a small test-tube. Copper oxide
releases oxygen to the food. Test the gas in the test-tube with limewater
by withdrawing gas with a medicine dropper, teat pipette, then expel the
gas as a bubble through limewater. The gas is carbon dioxide. Copper (II)
oxide releases oxygen to the food. Also, note the water condensed in the
cooler parts of the test-tube.
5. Measure the ash content of plant dry matter. Weigh a 2 g powdered sample
of plant dry matter into a crucible. Heat over a Bunsen burner in a fume
cupboard, gently at first, and then strongly. Continue heating until only
the ash remains as an almost white residue of salts. After cooling, weigh
the crucible again and calculate the percentage ash content in the dry matter.
6. Measure the moisture content of plant organs, e.g. cabbage leaf, carrot,
potato. Shred materials such as cabbage or carrot and grind seeds in a mill.
Heat 10 g samples in dishes in an oven at 100oC. Leave the samples
in the oven overnight, then cool in a desiccator and weigh again. Use safety
glasses and insulated heat-proof gloves when handling the hot dishes. To
make sure that all moisture has been driven off, replace the material in
the oven for two hours, and then weigh again. Calculate the percentage moisture
content of the original material.
7. Put glucose into a test-tube then heat gently strongly until only
a black residue of carbon remains. Clean the test-tube immediately.
8. Put glucose in a test-tube. Note its crystalline state at room temperature.
Add water and sand, then heat until it decomposes to carbon dioxide and water.
Taste is sweet. Cane sugar is crystalline starch and cellulose. Cane sugar
is readily soluble in water, cellulose is not.
9. Starch is insoluble in cold water but in hot water it forms a solution
that may set like a jelly when cooled.
All carbohydrates decompose on heating to form carbon as a black solid.
9.129 Hydrolysis of starch by
dilute hydrochloric acid
See: 16.3.1.5 Starches, amylum, glycogen
Do not allow students to handle concentrated hydrochloric acid.
1. Do Fehling's tests for simple sugars on a 1% starch solution. No reaction
occurs if the starch is pure. Add 10 drops of concentrated hydrochloric
acid to 10 mL of 1% starch solution in a test-tube. Stand the test-tube
in boiling water for 10 minutes then leave to cool. Take 5 mL of this solution
and neutralize it by adding 1 mL of sodium hydroxide solution. Do Fehling's
tests for simple sugars. If the test is not positive, heat the solution
for a longer period and test again. The starch is converted to simple reducing
sugars by acid hydrolysis. Compare the results at room temperature and 10oC
above room temperature.
2. Test the results with "Testape". Tear off a small piece of "Testape".
Lay it on the bench and add drops of the solutions. After 30 seconds, compare
the colours of the test paper with the colour chart on the Testape dispenser.
3. Do the Fehling's test on a colloidal solution of starch. Note the reaction
is negative. Then hydrolyse a portion of the starch solution by boiling
with equal volume of dilute sulfuric acid for 10 minutes, stirring all the
time. Test the solution periodically by applying the iodine test on a drop
on a tile. Note the stages of colour changes. Finally neutralize, apply the
Fehling's test.
9.130 Hydrolysis of starch
by salivary amylase (ptyalin)
Plants have alpha amylase and beta amylase (diastase in brewing malt).
Animals have only alpha amylase, pancreatic amylase, salivary amylase (ptyalin).
The amylase enzyme hydrolyses the 1,4-glycosidic bonds in starch to produce
reducing sugars.
You may have to seek approval to work with human saliva because it can
spread disease. Instead of using human saliva, use salivary amylase from
a laboratory supply company.
1. Prepare a dilute saliva solution by rinsing 20 mL of warm water in the
mouth for one minute then spit it into a beaker. Use a teat pipette to add
2 mL of dilute saliva to 10 mL of fresh 1% starch solution. Stir the solution
thoroughly. Record the time of adding the saliva. At five minute intervals
put two drops of the saliva starch solution in a test-tube or on a white
tile and add a drop of iodine solution. Note the colour of the solution.
Wash the dropper between each test. For each successive test the blue colour
decreases because starch is being converted to glucose sugar. Saliva contains
salivary amylase (ptyalin) a catalyst that converts starch to the simple
sugar maltose and water.
2. Put three drops of the starch and saliva solution into a test-tube.
Add 3 mL of Fehling's reagent and heat the solution until almost boiling.
Note the colour of the precipitate. For each successive drop of starch
and saliva solution tested at five minute intervals. The brick-red precipitate
increases, showing that the amount of glucose sugar is increasing. The
enzyme salivary amylase in the saliva is breaking down starch into glucose
sugar.
3. Remove a drop of the starch and saliva solution and put it on a white
tile. Put a drop of iodine solution on the drop of starch and saliva solution.
Note the colour of the solution. For each successive drop taken out at each
five minute interval, the blue colour decreases, showing that starch is
being converted to glucose sugar. Wash the dropper between each test.
9.131 Hydrolysis of sucrose
by dilute acids
See 16.3.1.4.0: Disaccharides
Do Fehling's tests for simple sugars on a 1% cent sucrose solution. No
reaction occurs with sucrose solution if it is pure. Add 10 drops of 10%
hydrochloric acid to the 1% cent sucrose solution. Boil the solution for
two minutes and leave to cool. Add 10 drops of sodium hydroxide solution to
neutralize the acid. Do Fehling's tests for simple sugars. Stand the test-tube
in boiling water. The reaction produces a red precipitate in the sucrose
solution. The intensity of the colour depends on the extent of the hydrolysis.
9.132 Tests for starch, iodine
tests for starch
Iodine is poisonous and should not be used where food is being prepared.
See 1.6: Iodine solution, test for starch,
biology solution | See diagram 2.26: Drawing stain
across | See 16.3.1.5: Starches, amylum,
glycogen
Be Careful! Heat alcohol with an electric
heater or use a water bath. Do NOT use a Bunsen burner! Store iodine
container inside a second container because the lid of iodine container
may deteriorate.
1. Sugar, the products of photosynthesis, and the large starch molecules
formed from many sugar molecules are present in leaves. A simple starch test
consists of applying a dilute iodine solution and watching for the typical
blue-black colour that shows that starch is present. Tubers, potatoes or
a starch paste may be used to show the colour change.
2. When testing leaves softening the leaf cells by boiling in water for
a few minutes is necessary. Then the leaf is put in boiling alcohol until
the pigments that will mask the reactions are removed from the leaf. Chlorophyll
is usually removed in 5-8 minutes but fleshy leaves may take longer or require
a change of alcohol for adequate removal of pigments. The iodine solution
should react with the starch within 15 minutes.
9.132a Amylose and amylopectin
Different starches contain different proportions of amylose and amylopectin.
Amylose, a long-chain polymer of glucose, gives the deep blue colour with
iodine, but amylopectin, a long-chain many-branched polymer of glucose, gives
a red-brown colour with iodine. Tincture of iodine antiseptic is a solution
of iodine in ethanol.
1.1 Boil a half full test-tube of water.
Add 1 g of powdered laundry starch and continue boiling. Cool the solution
then add drops of iodine solution. The liquid appears black but if hold
it up to the light it appears dark blue. Pour out half the solution then
reheat the test-tube. The blue colour disappears. Cool the test-tube under
a water tap. The blue colour reappears.
1.2 Do the iodine tests for starch on a solution of glucose. Pure glucose
sugar does not react with iodine solution.
1.3 Do the iodine tests for starch in a waterweed. Put a well developed
shoot of waterweed in a 600 mL beaker filled with water. Put the beaker
in the sunlight or expose it to electric light (e.g. from a microscope lamp)
after 2 hours detach a leaf from the upper end of the shoot using the tweezers
and place it in a drop of chloral hydrate solution on a microscope slide.
Immediately add one drop of iodine potassium iodide solution. Mount a coverslip.
Examine the slide under high power. The assimilation starch can be seen in
the chloroplasts of the waterweed in the form of small blue black dots. It
has been stained that colour by the iodine potassium iodide solution which
is used as a stain for identifying starch.
1.4 Do the iodine tests for starch on thin leaves. Gather the leaves immediately
after they have been exposed to several hours of daylight. Put the leaves
in boiling water to kill the cells. Heat a beaker of water to boiling. Turn
off the Bunsen burner or electric heater then put a test-tube of methylated
spirit in the hot water to boil the alcohol. The boiling point of alcohol
is lower than the boiling point of water, so if the water is hot enough
the alcohol will boil. Put the leaves in the hot methylated spirit until
the chlorophyll pigment that can mask the reaction is removed to the alcohol.
When the leaf is almost white, put it in the iodine solution. Note the deep
blue colour. Be careful! Use safety glasses and insulated heat-proof gloves.
1.5. Repeat the test on several types of leaves and plant storage organs,
e.g. potato tubers, sweet potato, carrot, onion, apple, banana. The test
works better with cooked starch because heat breaks the walls of the starch
grains in the plant cells. Test leaves at different times of the day after
different exposure to sunlight. Test variegated leaves and different coloured
leaves. Test different parts of plants by adding the iodine solution to
a cut surface.
1.6 Add drops of iodine solution to some solid glucose, sucrose, cotton
wool, laundry starch, bread, potato and rice. The test is positive for the
last four substances only. The blue colour produced when iodine is added
to starch is characteristic of starch. Margarine may contain a small quantity
of starch to differentiate it from butter. If liver sausage contains starch,
it is adulterated.
1.7. Do the iodine tests for starch on the cut surface of a tuber, e.g.
potato, and note the blue-black colour formed. Scrape the cut surface of
a potato tuber. Put a scraping as big as a pin head in a drop of water on
a microscope slide and apply a coverslip. Examine the tissue under the low
power. Put a drop of iodine solution on the microscope slide to touch one
side of the coverslip. Touch a piece of absorbent paper to the other side
of the coverslip to draw the iodine solution across. Keep looking down the
microscope and see the starch grains turning blue. Examine the starch grains
in the cells under high power. Focus up and down on a starch grain to see
the layers. Examine other examples of starch grains, e.g. bean seed, rice
grain.
9.134 Tests for carbohydrates,
Molisch's test (alpha-naphthol test), Solubility in water
Naphthol may contain carcinogenic impurities. It should be used only
by senior students and not where food is being prepared.
1. Molisch's test (alpha-naphthol test)
Add 0.1 mL 5% ethanolic alpha-naphthol to 5 ml of medium and swirl the
test-tube to mix the solutions. Carefully pour concentrated sulfuric acid
down the side of the test-tube. A violet ring or purple colour at the junction
of the the liquids indicates carbohydrates. ( H. Molisch 1856-1937)
2. Solubility in water
2.1 Dissolve carbohydrates in water. Heat the water if necessary. Glucose
and sucrose (cane sugar) are soluble in water. Cellulose is not soluble
in water. Starch is insoluble in cold water, but in hot water it forms a
solution that may set like a jelly when cooled.
2.2 Tie a teaspoonful of plain wheat flour in a fine cloth, e.g. a handkerchief,
and pummel it up and down in a dish of water. Allow the white suspension
in the dish to settle then decant the water. Do the iodine tests for starch
on the precipitate. Examine the sticky mass left inside the cloth. It is
mainly gluten and cellulose
9.135 Tests for cellulose,
iodine tests for cellulose
See 6.3.1.6: Cellulose, hemicellulose,
lignin, tests for wood
Do not allow students to handle concentrated sulfuric acid. Use safety
goggles and nitrile chemical-resistant gloves.
Add iodine solution to cotton wool in a beaker. The cotton wool turns
yellow. Drain off the iodine solution. Add drops of concentrated sulfuric
acid. The cotton wool turns a deep blue. Cotton wool is almost pure cellulose.
Test a slice of onion bulb under the microscope.
9.136 Tests for cellulose,
solubility tests for cellulose
Do not allow students to handle concentrated hydrochloric acid. Use safety
goggles and nitrile chemical-resistant gloves.
Cellulose is soluble in the following:
1. Solution of zinc oxide in concentrated hydrochloric acid
2. Ammoniacal copper carbonate dissolved in dilute ammonia solution
3. Schweizer's reagent (not "Schweitzer") is made by dissolving 0.3%
solution of precipitated copper (II) hydroxide solution in a 20% dilute
ammonia solution to form tetraammine copper dihydroxide, cuprammonium hydroxide
[Cu(NH3)4](OH)2) complex ion Cu(NH3)42+.
The reagent forms a deep azure solution, Eduard Mathias Schweizer (1818 -1860)
discovered this method of dissolving cellulose in copper tetra-ammine.
9.137 Tests for fats and oils
Examples of fats: butter, margarine, beef dripping, mutton dripping, suet
and tallow. Examples of oils: olive oil, castor oil, linseed oil, coconut
oil. Oils are oily liquids at room temperature that float on water.
1. Paper tests for fats
1.1 Mark two pencil crosses on writing paper, 10 cm apart. Use a pipette
to put a drop of olive oil (fat) on one cross and use another pipette put
a drop of water on the other cross. Compare both crosses after 12 hours and
24 hours. Note how the cross on which the oil was dropped can be distinguished.
Fat makes a translucent mark on paper.
1.2 Cut different foods and press the cut surface on white paper, e.g.
walnut, hazelnut, coconut, sausage, butter, boiled egg white, sugar lump.
Note which foodstuffs make a translucent mark and so contain fat.
1.3 Rub foods with absorbent brown paper to indicate the spread of fat.
2. Sudan III tests for fats
The fat soluble dye Sudan (III) stains triglycerides, C22H16N4O,
1-((4-(phenyldiazenyl)phenyl)diazenyl)naphthalen-2-ol. It is carcinogenic.
Make a saturated solution of Sudan III in a 1:1 solution of 70% ethanol
and acetone. Dilute this solution by preparing a 6:4 solution with ethanol.
2.1 Half fill a test-tube with water, add drops of Sudan III solution,
shake the test-tube and note the faintly pink colour. Be careful! Use safety
goggles and nitrile chemical-resistant gloves when handling stains. Add the
same number of drops of olive oil, shake the solution and leave to stand
in a test-tube rack. Wait for the oil to settle to the top of the test-tube.
Note the colour of the oil and the water.
2.2 Add a drop of Sudan III solution to cut seeds and nuts, e.g. castor
bean seed, sunflower seed. Cut a very thin slice of the seed and examine
under high power.
3. Fat is not soluble in water, but is soluble in ether, chloroform and
acetone. Students should not be allowed to work with ether or chloroform
because these chemicals are very volatile, so students should not do this
test.
4. Apply osmic acid to the cut
surface of nuts and seeds. A black colour forms to show the presence of oil.
Osmic acid is an acute poison if ingested, inhaled or in contact with the
skin. So this test should NOT be done in a school laboratory.
5. Heat drops of oil in a Pyrex test-tube. Oil decomposes on heating to
leave carbon.
9.138 Tests for nitrogen compounds
in food, soda lime test
See diagram 16.9.3: Test with moist litmus
paper
Put crushed cheese or meat in a test-tube with soda lime. Mix the food
and soda lime then heat the mixture. Note the pungent odour of ammonia at
the mouth of the tube. Test with moist litmus paper. Red litmus paper turns
blue. The food produces ammonia gas, so the nitrogen in the ammonia must
have come from the food. Soda lime is a mixture of sodium hydroxide and calcium
hydroxide and is used as a laboratory drying agent.
9.140 Tests for sugars, simple
sugars, reducing sugars, Fehling's test
Prepare Fehling's reagent
See 16.3.7: Fehling's tests for aldehydes
in solution
The following solutions must be prepared by school staff before the experiment.
Do not ask students to prepare these solutions or weigh out sodium hydroxide.
Use safety glasses and nitrile chemical-resistant gloves. The test was
invented by H.C. von Fehling (1812-1885).
1. Simple sugars, e.g. glucose and fructose, reduce blue copper (II) oxide
in Fehling's reagent to brick-red copper (I) oxide. To make Fehling's A
solution, dissolve 17 g of copper (II) sulfate crystals in water and make
up to 250 mL. To make Fehling's B solution, dissolve 87 g of sodium potassium
tartrate-4-water (Rochelle salt) and 35 g of sodium hydroxide in water and
make up to 250 mL. Just before doing the test, prepare Fehling's reagent
by mixing equal volumes of Fehling's A solution and Fehling's B solutions
to form a clear deep blue solution.
2. The reagent is made up in separate parts, Fehling's solution A and
Fehling's solution B. Fehling's A is prepared by dissolving 34.6 g of copper
sulfate in 500 mL deionized water. Fehling's B is prepared by, dissolving
175 g of Rochelle salt and 50 g of sodium hydroxide in 500 mL distilled
water. The complete reagent is prepared when required for use by mixing
equal quantities of the A and B solutions.
9.140.1 Tests for glucose
and fructose
1.1 Mix equal parts of Fehling's A solution and Fehling's B solution.
Take 3 mL of this deep blue solution and add 3 mL of 1% glucose solution.
Stand the test-tube in boiling water for some minutes or warm the solution
gently over a Bunsen burner, with constant shaking. The blue colour gradually
disappears and a bright red precipitate of copper oxide forms to indicate
the presence of glucose. A red precipitate shows that glucose is a reducing
agent. Fructose gives the same reaction.
1.2 Add glucose crystals to a test-tube a quarter filled with water. Close
the test-tube with your thumb and shake until the glucose dissolves. Pour
into a second test-tube the same quantity of Fehling's A solution and Fehling's
B solution. Heat the contents of the test-tube not at the bottom. but a
just below the surface of the liquid. Hold the test-tube so the mouth points
away from people. As soon as the solution boils, add the contents to the
glucose solution. Heat the contents of the test-tube. A green then a brick-red
(orange-red) precipitate forms of copper (I) oxide forms that shows the
presence of glucose sugar. Fructose and methanal give the same reaction.
Repeat the experiment by testing cane sugar or beet sugar (sucrose) starch
and cellulose. They do not change the colour of Fehling's solution.
1.3 Test juice squeezed from crushed leaves, stems, and fruit. The test
is positive, showing the presence of simple sweet-tasting sugars. However,
roots and seeds test negative because they contain mainly starch. Repeat
the experiment with crumbled cake, biscuit, rice, starch and other common
foods.
9.140.2 Test sucrose
2.1 Do Fehling's test on a 1% cent solution of sucrose, cane sugar or beet
sugar. No reaction occurs with sucrose solution if it is pure. Hydrolyse
the solution of sucrose in a test-tube by adding 10 drops of dilute hydrochloric
acid to the 1% cent sucrose solution, Boil for a few minutes, cool and add
10 drops of sodium hydroxide solution to neutralize the acid. Add freshly
made Fehling's A and B solutions. Stand the test-tube in boiling water. The
reaction produces red precipitate in the sucrose solution. The intensity
of the colour depends on the extent of the hydrolysis. If no red colour appears,
again add acid and boil the solution until a red colour appears.
2.2 To a 3 mL sample of 1% sucrose solution, add 10 drops of dilute hydrochloric
acid. Boil for a few minutes, cool and add 10 drops of sodium hydroxide solution
to neutralize the acid and then 3 mL of deep blue Fehling's solution. Stand
the test-tube in boiling water. If no red colour appears, again add acid
and boil the solution until a red colour appears.
9.140.3 Test starch
3.1 Test a dilute starch solution. Starch does not react with Fehling's
reagent.
3.2 Hydrolyse starch solution by boiling. with equal volume of dilute
sulfuric acid for about 10 minutes, with constant stirring. Neutralize
and apply the Fehling's test.
9.140.4 Test cellulose
Cellulose does not change the colour of Fehling's reagent.
9.140.5 Test plant parts
5.1 Test juice squeezed from crushed leaves, stems, and fruit. The test
is positive indicating the presence of simple sweet-tasting sugars. However,
roots and seeds test negative because they contain mainly starch. Repeat
the experiment with crumbled cake, biscuit, rice, starch and other common
foods.
5.2 Test plant organs for glucose and fructose, e.g. seeds, leaves, roots,
stems, tubers. Extract some of the juice from the plant organ to be tested.
Cut the tissues into fine pieces, and then crush the material with a pestle
and mortar. If little juice is expressed, add a few mL water and continue
to crush. Then perform Fehling's test on the plant extracts obtained.
9.141 Tests for reducing sugars,
test urine, Benedict's test
See 16.3.7.1: Reducing sugars and nonreducing sugars
Benedict's tests for reducing sugars uses a citrate ion-Cu2+
complex. Benedict's reagent is a mixture of copper (II) sulfate, hydrated
sodium citrate and hydrated sodium carbonate. Add Benedict's reagent to
a test solution and heat to boiling. A high concentration of reducing sugars
gives a red precipitate and a low concentration gives a yellow precipitate.
Benedict's test is more sensitive than Fehling's test and is easier to do
because only one solution is needed. However, it may be more expensive.
Nowadays, Benedict's test is used instead of Fehling's tests for detecting
reducing sugars. This test was discovered by S. R. Benedict (1884-1936).
The oxidation methods for blood
glucose are based on the reducing properties of glucose. Copper reduction
tests are among the oldest methods for glucose determination. In a hot
alkaline solution, glucose will reduce cupric salts to cuprous salts. The
quantity of cuprous salts produced is directly proportional to the glucose
concentration. Other procedures make use of the reduction of alkaline ferricyanide,
which is yellow, to a ferrocyanide, which is colourless. The decrease of
yellow colour is dependent upon the glucose concentration.
Urine test
Add 8 drops of urine to 5 mL of Benedict's reagent, heat to boiling for
two minutes and leave to cool. Reducing sugars produce precipitates: light
green turbidity 0.1-0.5% sugar, green precipitate 0.5-1.0% sugar, yellow
precipitate 1.0 to 2.0% sugar, red precipitate > 2.9% sugar.
9.142 Tests for starch, Fehling's
tests for starch
1. No reaction occurs with starch solution if it is pure. Test 1% pure
starch solution with Fehling's test. The test is negative. Add 10 drops
of concentrated hydrochloric acid to 10 mL of 1% starch solution. Stand
the test-tube in boiling water for 10 minutes then leave to cool. Take 5
mL of this solution and neutralize by adding 1 mL of sodium hydroxide solution.
tests for Fehling's solution. If the test is positive, the starch is converted
to reducing sugars by acid hydrolysis. If the tests for glucose is not positive,
heat for a longer period and test again.
2. Do the Fehling's test on a colloidal solution of starch. Note the reaction
is negative. Then hydrolyse a portion of the starch solution by boiling
with equal volume of dilute sulfuric acid for 10 minutes, stirring all the
time. Test the solution periodically by applying the iodine test on a drop
on a tile. Note the stages of colour changes. Finally neutralize, apply the
Fehling's test.
3. Prepare a 1% suspension of starch in a little water, notice how the
starch breaks up but does not dissolve. Boil the suspension and again examine.
Add one drop of iodine solution to 5 mL of water and then add several drops
of starch paste. The blue colour produced is the best tests for starch.
Apply the Fehling's test and note the result.
4. Tie a teaspoonful of plain wheat flour in a fine cloth, like a handkerchief,
and pummel it up and down in a saucer of water. Allow the white suspension
in the dish to settle and decant the water. Test the solid for starch.
Examine the sticky mass left in the cloth. It is mainly gluten and cellulose.
9.143 Tests for vitamin C (L-ascorbic
acid)
Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin, essential for the formation of
collagen in connective tissue. Vegetables should be cooked quickly in as
little water as possible to retain nutrients. Sailors deprived of vitamin
C during long voyages developed scurvy and suffered bleeding gums, lack
of wound healing and anaemia, leading to death.
1. DCPIP (2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol) (PIDCP, phenol-indo-2,6-dichlorophenol)
is a blue dye decolorized by ascorbic acid, but a pink colour may remain.
To prepare the solution use 0.0162g of DCPIP per litre of water (0.1%
DCPIP solution). Add 1 mL of DCPIP solution to an ascorbic acid solution
or a solution of crushed vitamin C tablets. Add more ascorbic acid, vitamin
C, until the blue solution turns colourless. DCPIP is reduced by ascorbic
acid. It is a toxic chemical and should not be used where food is being
prepared.
2. Test fresh fruits or vegetables, e.g. lemon juice or spinach, by crushing
them with a mortar and pestle, shaking with 20 mL of water and testing the
extracts with DCPIP solution.
3. Boil the same fruits or vegetables or fruits in water for ten minutes.
Crush the boiled fruit or vegetable, add 20 mL of water, then test with DCPIP
solution. Note which crushed fruit or vegetable contains the most ascorbic
acid. Also, test the cooking water they were boiled in.
4. Test lemon or orange drinks, lemon cordial, blackcurrant juice, pickles,
cucumber, and sauerkraut for vitamin C.
5. Test whether ascorbic acid is destroyed in an acidic or a basic solution.
6. Crush boiled fruit or vegetable, add 20 mL of water, then test with
DCPIP solution. Note which fruit or vegetable extract contains the most ascorbic
acid.
7. Test lemon or orange drinks, lemon cordial, blackcurrant juice, pickles,
cucumber, and sauerkraut for vitamin C.
8. Test whether ascorbic acid is destroyed in an acidic or a basic solution.
Some people add bicarbonate of soda (sodium hydrogen carbonate) to the water
when boiling vegetables to make them look more green. However, this chemical
destroys vitamin C.
9.144 Tests for wood
See 16.3.1.6: Cellulose, hemicellulose,
lignin, tests for wood
Put drops of a colourless solution of aniline sulfate or aniline chloride
on the cut surface of a piece of wood. Note the bright yellow colour that
shows the position of wood tissue, xylem. Cut across the stems of herbaceous
plants, e.g. sunflower, pumpkin, celery, and apply aniline chloride solution
to the cut surfaces. Look for any evidence of wood and record its position
in the stem.
9.154 Tests for carbon dioxide
using limewater
See diagram 3.34.1: Limewater tests for carbon
dioxide
Prepare the weak alkali calcium hydroxide solution,
limewater, by adding solid calcium hydroxide, slaked lime, to demineralized
water. Shake the solution vigorously and leave to stand. Calcium hydroxide
solid is only slightly soluble in water. When a white solid has settled
as a fine white sediment, decant the clear limewater above the sediment.
To replenish the limewater, add more demineralized water to the sediment
in the stock bottle, shake and leave to settle. The settling process may
take several days.
Pass carbon dioxide through the clear limewater. The solution becomes
milky because of a fine precipitate of calcium carbonate.
Ca(OH)2 (aq) + CO2 (g) --> Ca(CO3)2
(s) + 2HCl (l)
Pass more carbon dioxide through the limewater. The solution becomes clear
again because of the formation of soluble calcium hydrogen carbonate.
CaCO3 (s) + CO2 (g) + H2O (l) -->
Ca(HCO3)2 (aq)
Pass air through freshly-made limewater. After a long time may see a faint
cloudy precipitate. The air contains about 0.4% carbon dioxide. Use a drinking
straw to exhale into the limewater. A cloudy precipitate soon forms because
exhaled breath contains about 4% carbon dioxide.
9.182 Tests for glucose and
starch with "Testape"
1. Prepare two same size pieces of dialysis tubing. Hold the end under
water until it is soft. Tie a knot in the end and pull so that the knot is
tight. Hold the other end under water until it is soft. To open the tubing,
rub the fingers back and forth until it opens. Half fill beaker 1 with glucose
solution. Half fill beaker 2 with starch solution. Half fill each piece of
dialysis tubing with demineralized water and put one piece in beaker 1 and
the other piece in beaker 2. Cover each beaker with a watch glass, and leave
overnight. Pour one finger breadth of the starch solution into a test-tube.
Add two drops of iodine solution. The solution becomes blue-black. Pour one
finger breadth of the glucose into a test-tube. Tear off a small piece of
"Testape", and dip it in the glucose solution. A green colour shows glucose.
The next day, use "Testape" to test the glucose solution in beaker 1 and
the liquid in the dialysis tubing. Both test positive. Add drops of iodine
to the starch solution in beaker 2 and to the liquid in the tubing. Only
the liquid in beaker 2 tested positive. The liquid in the dialysis tubing
in beaker 1 tested negative. Glucose can pass through the wall of dialysis
tubing but starch cannot.
16.3.7.0 Fehling's tests for aldehydes in solution
16.3.1a Aldehydes, ketones, quinones
| See 16.3.8: Ketones
See diagram 16.3.7: Potassium sodium tartrate
1. Fehling's solution (Hermann von Fehling 1812-1835), should be made
just before the estimation of sugar test as follows:
Fehling's A solution: 69.28 grams copper (II) sulfate pentahydrate dissolved
in 1 litre of distilled water
Fehling's B solution: 346 grams Rochelle salt (potassium sodium tartrate
tetrahydrate), and 120 grams sodium hydroxide in 1 litre of distilled water
Add Fehling's B solution to 1 mL of Fehling's A solution until the blue
precipitate just dissolves to give a deep blue solution. Fehling's reagent
is used as an oxidizing agent to detect reducing sugars, e.g. (+) glucose,
fructose, and aldehydes, e.g. methanal (formaldehyde). After boiling, the
deep blue Fehling's solution is reduced to a red-yellow (brick-red) precipitate
of copper (I) oxide, Cu2O. Ketones (except alpha hydroxy ketones)
do not react with Fehling's reagent.
Rochelle salt (potassium sodium tartrate tetrahydrate, Seignette's salt),
is a double salt, [KNa(C4H4O6).4H2O],
that has a cooling saline taste and is piezoelectric.
2. Add 3 drops acetaldehyde solution and boil the solution until the red
copper (I) oxide precipitate indicates the presence of a reducing agent.
CH3CHO (aq) + 2CuO --> CH3COOH + Cu2O
(s)
3. Add drops of methanal (formaldehyde) solution (formalin), HCHO, to
a test-tube one quarter filled with Fehling's reagent and heat to boiling.
Note the yellow then orange then red precipitate of copper (I) oxide. The
copper from the copper (II) sulfate solution has been reduced from copper
(II) to copper (I). Methanal is a strong reducing agent. The ketones do not
react with Fehling's reagent. Be careful! Formaldehyde as at concentrations
above 0.1 ppm in air it can irritate the eyes and mucous membranes, cause
headaches, difficulty breathing or aggravate asthma symptoms. Students should
not do this test.
4. Add drops of formalin to a test-tube one quarter filled with Fehling's
A and B solutions and heat to boiling. Note the yellow then orange then
red precipitate of copper (I) oxide. The copper from the copper (II) sulfate
solution has been reduced from copper (II) to copper (I).
5. Repeat the experiment using acetaldehyde instead of formalin. Note
the similar reaction. In this reactions, the aldehyde is oxidized to carboxylic
acids and the Cu2+ ion (cupric ion), complexioned with tartrate
ion is reduced to Cu+ ion (cuprous ion).
RCHO + 2Cu2+ + 4OH- --> RCOOH + Cu2O
+ 2H2O
6. Benedict's test is more sensitive than Fehling's test, and is easier
to do because only one solution is needed, but it may be more expensive.
16.3.7.1 Reducing sugars
and nonreducing sugars
See 9.141: Benedict's test for reducing sugars
Reducing sugars: glucose, fructose, glyceraldehyde, lactose, arabinose,
(C5H10O5), turanose, (C12H22O11),
maltose
Non-reducing sugars: Sucrose, trehalose, (diglucose)
A reducing sugar acts as a reducing agent by giving electrons to other
molecules. Reducing sugars are monosaccharides or disaccharides with a free
ketone group, -CO-, e.g. fructose, or a free aldehyde group, -CHO, e.g. glucose.
So fructose is a ketose or ketohexose and glucose is an aldose or aldohexose.
Sucrose is not a reducing sugar because of the linkage of aldehyde and ketone
groups between the component sugars glucose and fructose.
Tests for reducing sugars use mixtures of mild oxidizing agents
Fehling's tests for reducing sugars and aldehydes uses a tartrate ion-Cu2+
complex
Benedict's tests for reducing sugars uses a citrate ion-Cu2+
complex. Nowadays, Benedict's test is used instead of Fehling's tests for
detecting reducing sugars. Tollens tests for aldehydes, the silver mirror
test, uses Ag+ in ammonia solution.
Oxidation of aldose sugars: RCH=O + 2Cu2+ (blue solution) +
5OH- --> R(C=O)O- + Cu2O (red precipitate)
+ 3H2O
16.3.7.2 Oxidation of glucose
with sodium hydroxide and methylene blue, blue bottle experiment
In a sodium hydroxide solution, the aldehyde glucose is oxidized by oxygen
gas (dioxygen), to gluconic acid (d-gluconic acid, CH2OH(CHOH)4COOH),
and then forms sodium gluconate. Methylene blue acts as an oxygen transfer
catalyst and is reduced to colourless leucomethylene blue. Leucomethylene
blue is then oxidized by oxygen in the air to methylene blue again. Methylene
blue is a thiazine dyestuff, C16H18ClN3S,
3,7-bis-(dimethylamino)-phenothiazin-5-ium chloride. Methylene blue is
blue when oxidized and colourless when reduced
1. Solution 1: Add 2.5 g glucose (dextrose) + 2.5 g sodium hydroxide +
1 mL 0.1% solution methylene blue to 500 mL water. Solution 2: Add 5 g glucose
+ 5 g NaOH + 1 mL 0.1% solution methylene blue to 500 mL water. Note that
the blue colour of Solution 2 disappears faster than in Solution 1. The
blue colour appears at the surface of the solutions because of oxygen in
the air. Shake the flasks and the blue colour returns.
2. Solution 2: Dissolve 0.05 g of methylene blue in 50 mL 0.1% ethanol.
Solution 2: Dissolve 6 g of sodium hydroxide (or 8 g potassium hydroxide),
in 300 mL water in a conical flask at room temperature above 25oC.
Stir to dissolve then the add 5 mL of Solution 1. The blue solution turns
colourless. Close the flask and shake to dissolve air in the solution, or
pour the solution from a height. The colour changes to blue then fades back
to colourless. Repeat the shaking many times and note the colour changes.
Leave the solution for some hours and shake again. The solution turns yellow
and no colour change occurs after shaking.
Repeat the experiment but instead of shaking the flask, pass nitrogen
gas or natural gas through the solution. No colour change occurs because
oxygen was not dissolved as in the shaking.
3. Repeat with other dyes:
3.1 Phenosafranine solution is red when oxidized and colourless when reduced.
Use 6 drops of 0.2% solution in water that becomes pink on shaking and colourless
when standing, after some time.
3.2 Phenosafranine, 6 drops of 0.2% solution in water, and methylene blue,
20 drops of 0.1% solution in ethanol, becomes pink on shaking and purple
with more shaking then blue. On standing the sequence of colours reverses.
3.3 Indigo carmine solution becomes brown-red on gentle shaking and pale
green on more shaking. On standing the sequence of colours reverses.
3.4 Resazurin (red to colourless) is dark blue when first added to the
solution to be tested then becomes pale blue then becomes pink-purple on
shaking.
Resazurin has dichromatism (polychromatism), where the hue of the colour
depends both on the concentration of the absorbing substance and the thickness
of the medium the light passes through.
16.3.7.3 Silver mirror tests for aldehydes, Tollens'
test
The test for aldehydes uses Tollen's reagent, a solution of silver nitrate
in ammonia solution. Its is used for silver mirror tests. Aldehydes with
Tollen's reagent forms a metallic silver mirror as the aldehyde is oxidized
and the the silver is reduced
RCHO + [O] --> RCOOH
Ag+ + e- --> Ag
1. Be careful! Silver salts are expensive! Do not keep the Tollens' reagent
after the test because it can explode on standing. Prepare the Tollens'
reagent, just before doing the test and after doing the test wash the unused
Tollens' reagent down the sink with lots of water. Do this test in a fume
cupboard.
Prepare Tollens' reagent
Be careful! Tollen's reagent evaporated to dryness is explosive.
Add 1 drop of dilute sodium hydroxide solution to 1 mL silver nitrate
solution and when a brown precipitate of silver oxide forms add drops of
dilute ammonia solution, NH3 (aq), ("ammonium hydroxide"), solution
until the brown precipitate dissolves.
2. Clean a test-tube with water and acetone. Add Tollens' reagent then
3 drops of acetaldehyde. Warm the test-tube in a beaker of water and a silver
mirror of silver deposits. You can "silver plate" small objects or coins.
CH3CHO (aq) + Ag2O (s) --> CH3COOH
(aq) + 2 Ag (s)
3. Put 5 mL of 5% (w/w) silver nitrate solution in a test-tube. Add 5
drops of 0.4 M sodium hydroxide solution and shake gently. Add 1 M ammonium
hydroxide drop by drop, with gentle shaking, until the precipitate just
dissolves.
4. Use Tollen's reagent with formaldehyde to reduce silver ions to the
metal to form a silver mirror on the inside of a clean test-tube.
5. Tollens' tests for glucose. Dissolve 2.8 g of silver nitrate in 170
mL of deionized water to prepare an approximate 0.1 mol per litre solution.
Dissolve 3.7 h potassium hydroxide in 85 mL of deionized water to prepare
an approximate 0.8 mol per litre solution. Dissolve 0.75 g of glucose in
17 mL deionized water. Add drops of 880 ammonia to the silver nitrate solution
in a test-tube until a brown precipitate forms. Continue adding about 5
mL of the 880 ammonia until the precipitate dissolves leaving a colourless
solution of Tollens' reagent containing the ion Ag(NH3)2+
(aq). Add the glucose solution to the Tollens' reagent and shake the test-tube
until the solution turns brown then forms a silver mirror on the inside
of the test-tube. The aldehyde glucose reduces the Ag+ (aq) ions
to silver metal. Pour the contents of the test-tube down the sink and flush
it down the sink with plenty of water.
C6H12O6, i.e. as aldehyde:
CH2OH(CHOH)4CHO (aq) + 2Ag(NH3)2+
(aq) + 3OH- (aq) --> 2Ag (s) + CH2OH(CHOH)4CO2-
(aq) + 4NH3 (aq) + 2H2O (l)
Show that this test reaction does not occur with propanone, a ketone.
6. Use Tollen's reagent to demonstrate the reduction of silver nitrate
solution by formic acid to form a mirror on the inside of the test-tube.
16.4.1.0 Tests for organic
acids and alcohols
Organic acids contain the carboxyl group COOH. They have different properties,
e.g. compound solubility tested by adding acid to water, litmus and other
indicator reactions, conductivity tests, and reaction when heated. For example
(+) tartaric acid decomposes when heated, but other organic acids sublime.
Increase in molecular weight of organic acids results in decrease in solubility
and solidification.
Test solutions of the alcohols and acids with litmus to show that alcohols
do not ionize whereas organic acids do ionize to some extent in water solution.
16.4.1.01 Carbonyls
See: Tests for aldehydes, Tollen's test, Silver mirror tests: 16.3.7.3
Carbonyls, >C=O, are either aldehydes (RCHO, suffix: -al), or ketones
(RR'C=O, suffix: -one. The carbonyl groups are strongly polar so the boiling
temperatures are higher than similar sizes of alkanes, but not as
high as similar sizes of alcohols because of the hydrogen bonding between
alcohol molecules. As the length of the carbon chains increase in carbonyls
the solubility in water decreases. Shorter chain carbonyl compounds mix with
water because of the hydrogen bonding between the oxygen of the carbonyl
compound and and water. Hydrogen bonds can form between propanone and water
molecules. Carbonyl compounds are unsaturated (C=O) so addition reactions
may occur. For example, see the reaction between an aldehyde and hydrogen
cyanide in the presence of potassium cyanide (not permitted in schools).
RCHO + HCN --> CN-RCH(OH)
(-CN group is called nitrile in organic chemistry but cyanide in organic
chemistry)
Aldehydes, but not ketones, can be oxidized easily to carboxylic acid
with acidified potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7
/ H+) as oxidizing agent.
RCHO + [O] --> RC(OH)O
Reducing agents can reduce an aldehyde to a primary alcohol and a ketone
to a secondary alcohol.
Test for carbonyls by mixing with an acid solution of Brady's reagent
(2,4-dinitrophenylhydrozone) in methanol to form derivatives, purify the
derivatives by recrystallization ten consult tables of the melting points
of the different derivatives.
Weak oxidizing agents can oxidize aldehydes but not ketones
16.4.1.1 Carboxylic acids, fatty acids and their
salts
See: Formic acid, | See: Acetic acid
Fatty acids are aliphatic monocarboxylic acids derived from or contained
in esterified form in an animal or vegetable fat, oil or wax. Natural fatty
acids usually have an unbranched chain of 4 to 28 carbons that may be saturated
or unsaturated. All acyclic aliphatic carboxylic acids. may be called fatty
acids. Carboxylic acids have the group -CO.OH, i.e. a carbonyl group attached
to an hydroxyl group. Oxo acids have a carboxy group and an aldehyde or ketone
group in the same molecule, e.g. HC(=O)CH2CH2CH2C(=O)OH,
5-oxopentanoic acid. Carboxylic acids, one carboxyl group (R-COOH, RC(=O)OH)
(-oic acid) fatty acids, e.g. methanoic acid (formic acid) (HCOOH) ethanoic
acid (acetic acid) (CH3COOH, CH3C=OOH)
16.4.1.1.1 Dicarboxylic acids, two carboxyl groups
(suffix: -dioic acid), e.g. ethanedioic acid (oxalic acid) [(COOH)2],
propanedioic acid (malonic acid) HOOCCH2COOH, butanedioic acid
(succinic acid) [(CH2)2(COOH)2], butanoic
acid (n-butyric acid) C3H7COOH, hexanedioic acid (adipic
acid) [(CH2)4(COOH)2]
16.4.1.1.2 Tricarboxylic acids, citric acid
Citric acid, C6H8O7, 2-hydroxypropane-1,2,3-tricarboxylic
acid (HOOCCH2C(OH)(COOH)CH2COOH) occurs in fruits,
e.g. lemons, and prepared by fermentation using Aspergillus, used
for drink flavouring.
16.4.2 Prepare ethanoic acid (acetic acid) ionization
reaction
Ethanoic acid (acetic acid, CH3COOH) is a weak acid. Only
a small proportion of it breaks into ions in aqueous solution, Ka = 1.76
X 10-5.
Put sodium acetate-3-water in a Pyrex test-tube. Add 1 mL of concentrated
sulfuric acid and heat gently. Test any vapour with moist litmus paper. Blue
litmus turns red. Cautiously smell the vapours and note the characteristic
odour of acetic acid.
Ionization reaction, Ka = 1.76 X 10-5
CH3COOH + H2O <--> H3O+
+ CH3COO-
However, although acetic acid is only partly dissociated in water,
in a more basic solvent, e.g. liquid ammonia, it is completely dissociated.
CH3COOH + NH3 --> NH4+ + CH3COO-
16.4.3 Prepare ethanedioic acid-2-water (oxalic acid)
ionization reaction
See diagram 16.4.3: Melting point of fat or
oil | See 16.3.8.2: Dicarboxylic acids:
Ionization reaction
H2C2O4 + H2O <--> H3O+
+ HC2O4-, Ka = 3.8 X 10-2
HC2O4- + H2O <--> H3O+
+ C2O42-, Ka = 5.0 X 10-5
Ethanedioic acid-2-water (oxalic acid) a colourless crystal (HOOC-COOH.2H2O)
exists in many plants, e.g. rhubarb that can be used as a laxative.
Be careful! This experiment must be done in a fume cupboard. The reaction
will be violent, so use very small quantities of chemical.
Add concentrated nitric acid to sucrose in a beaker. The sucrose starts
dissolving. Heat the mixture in a fume cupboard. All the sucrose gradually
dissolves. Meanwhile, the nitric acid decomposes to turn the solution yellow,
and produces much white smoke. Along with the temperature rise, the solution
colour becomes deeper and deeper and a large amount of reddish brown gas
is released. By controlling heating, evaporate the solution nearly to dryness,
and volatilize the reddish brown gas as thoroughly as possible. Cool the
beaker in water and snowflake like crystals of ethanedioic acid-2-water (oxalic
acid) appear. Do not use an excessive quantity of nitric acid. Otherwise,
the time for heating would be overlong and the nitric acid would not decompose
completely, leading to a yellow product.
sucrose + concentrated nitric acid ---> dehydrated ethanedioic acid-2-water
(oxalic acid).
16.4.4 EDTA, ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid,
(HOOC.CH2)2N(CH2)2N(CH2.COOH)2
See diagram 16.4.4: EDTA molecule
A chelate is a metal ion bound to two or more atoms of a chelating agent
(sequestering agent), e.g. the simple chelating agent 1,2-diaminoethane
(ethylenediamine), NH2.CH2.CH2.NH2
forms bonds to a metal ion through its nitrogen atoms. Porphyrin chelates
include haeme. in haemoglobin, bonded to iron (II) ion, and chlorophyll bonded
to Mg (II) ion. Similarly vitamin B-12 has cobalt (II) ion bonded to a chelating
agent.
The synthetic chelating agent EDTA can form complexes with calcium and
magnesium ions. So it can form the calcium complex [Ca(EDTA)]2-.
The sodium salt used as an antidote for metal poisoning, an anticoagulant,
enzyme deactivation, bactericide, industrial processes. The EDTA disodium
salt is: (HOOC.CH2)2N(CH2)2N(CH2.COO.Na)2.2H2O.
EDTA is used in the food industry to deactivate the enzymes containing
metal ions that cause food spoilage, loss of colour and loss of flavour.
Similarly EDTA can be used to dissolve the calcium carbonate scale caused
by hard water and prevent stored blood from clotting by sequestering calcium
ions. As a treatment for lead poisoning calcium disodium EDTA exchanges
its chelated calcium for lead and the resulting lead chelate is excreted.
If a ligand is defined as a small molecule that binds to a larger molecule,
then chelates can be said to bring about the complexation of a ligand.
The terms ligand, chelate, chelating agent and sequestering agent are used
in slightly different ways in chemistry, medicine, and general industry.
If EDTA = H4Y, then the disodium dihydrate form = Na2H2Y.2H2O
H2Y2- + Ca2+ <--> CaY2- +
2H+
Industrial synthesis of EDTA
NH2.CH2.CH2.NH2 + 4
H.CHO + 4 Na.CN + 4 H2O → (Na.OOC.CH2)2N(CH2)2N(CH2.COO.Na)2
+ 4 NH3
1,2-diaminoethane (ethylenediamine) + methanal (formaldehyde) +
sodium cyanide + water --> sodium salt + ammonia (Na.OOC.CH2)2N(CH2)2N(CH2.COO.Na)2
+ 4 HCl → (HOOC.CH2)2N(CH2)2N(CH2.COOH)2
+ 4 NaCl
sodium salt + hydrochloric acid --> EDTA + sodium chloride
16.4.4.1 Ion
exchange resins, deionized water
Let RZ = the resin, an organic polymer matrix. Charged groups are bound
to the resin.
Cation exchange resin, H+ form, to remove cations, e.g. Ca2+,
from solution
2RZ-SO3- H+ + Ca2+ <-->
(RZSO3-)2Ca2+ + 2H+
Anion exchange resin, OH- from, to remove anions, e.g. Cl-,
from solution
RZ-N(CH3)3+ OH- + Cl-
-->RZ-N(CH3)3+ Cl- + OH-
To "soften" water, usually only a cation exchange resin is used.
If both a cation exchange resin and an anion exchange resin are used with
tap water to remove ionic salts by ion-exchange, the resulting solution
is deionized water, a cheaper alternative to distilled water.
16.4.5 Tests for fats, proportion of fats in foods
Heat 5 mL of the fat with 5 mL alcohol and two flakes of sodium hydroxide.
Continue heating until the layers merge. Pour into 200 mL water and stir.
Repeat the experiment with chocolate and estimate what fraction of chocolate
is fat.
16.4.7.0 Tests for unsaturated hydrocarbons, bromine
water test
Shake the following gases with bromine water in a test-tube closed with
a stopper:
1. Methane
No reaction
2. Ethene (ethylene)
The red-brown colour of the bromine water disappears and colourless 1,2-dibromethane
(ethylene dibromide) forms. Remove the stopper and notice the characteristic
odour of 1,2-dibromethane (ethylene dibromide).
H2C=CH2 + Br2 ---> Br.CH2.CH2.Br
(ethylene dibromide)
16.4.7.1 Tests for unsaturated
fats, bromine water test
The fat sample, e.g. coconut oil, palm oil, sunflower oil, should first be
dissolved in a solvent, e.g. ethanol or Volasil (octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane),
5 drops added to 5 drops. Add drops of bromine water in a fume cupboard or
under a fume hood or near an open window. Swirl the test-tube
when adding the drops and note the number of drops used before the red-brown
bromine water changes the solution to a permanent yellow tint. The number
of drops of bromine water needed to produce the yellow tint is a crude estimation
of the relative number of double bonds in the fat, i.e. the degree of unsaturation
of the fat. However, some students cannot recognise this permanent yellow
tint.
16.4.8 Tests for unsaturated hydrocarbons, alkaline
potassium manganate (VII) solution test
Dissolve 0.1 g anhydrous sodium carbonate in 1 mL of 1% potassium manganate
(VII) solution. Add five drops to a test-tube containing the paraffin.
Attach a stopper and shake.
1. Methane
No reaction
2. Ethene (ethylene)
Dark purple manganate (VII) ion, (MnO4-), oxidizes
carbon-carbon double bonds and is reduced to dark green manganate (VI) ion,
(MnO42-), then further reduced to a black-brown precipitate
of manganese (IV) oxide (manganese dioxide). The solution contains
ethane-1,2-diol, (ethylene glycol) . Ethylene glycol is used in antifreeze
mixtures in car radiators.
H2C=CH2 + H2O + [O] ---> HO.CH2.CH2.OH
ethene (ethylene) + water ---> ethane-1,2-diol, (ethylene glycol)
[O] = oxygen from an oxidizing agent, in organic chemistry equations
3. Alkaline potassium manganate (VII) solution oxidizes any hydrocarbon
side chain attached to a benzene ring, with long heating, to a single -COOH
group, to the main product benzoic acid.
16.4.9.0 Tests for saturated hydrocarbons, acidified
potassium manganate (VII) solution test
Add 1 mL of dilute sulfuric acid to 0.5 mL of 1% potassium manganate (VII)
solution. Add five drops to a test-tube containing the paraffin. Attach
a stopper and shake.
1. Methane
No reaction
2. Ethene (ethylene)
A colourless solution of ethylene glycol forms.
H2C=CH2 + H2O + [O] ---> HO.CH2.CH2.OH
ethene (ethylene) + water ---> ethane-1,2-diol, (ethylene glycol)
16.4.9.1 Tests for unsaturated
hydrocarbons, acidified potassium manganate (VII) solution test
The fat sample, e.g. coconut oil, palm oil, sunflower oil, should first
be dissolved in a warm solvent, e.g. ethanol or Volasil (octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane),
5 drops added to 5 drops. Add drops of 0.0005 M potassium manganate (VII)
solution acidified with 1 M sulfuric acid. Swirl the test-tube when
adding the drops and note the number of drops used before the purple solution
changes to colourless then settles to a faint purple colour. The number
of drops of acidified potassium manganate (VII) solution needed to produce
the faint purple colour tint is a crude estimation of the relative number
of double bonds in the fat, i.e. the degree of unsaturation of the fat.
16.6.1 Tests for proteins,
heat test for proteins
See 16.3.6.0 Proteins, peptides,
amino acids
1. Proteins decompose when heated to form carbon and a mixture of gases.
One gas is usually ammonia. Proteins are slightly soluble in cold water,
but are more soluble in hot water. When the hot solution is cooled, it
may set like a jelly. Heat proteins until they char. Smell the gases that
form
2. Heat a protein solution and note any changes. The change is similar
to the change in the egg white when it is boiled.
16.6.2 Tests for proteins, burning test for proteins
Burn feathers or hairs and note the gases that form. These proteins contain
sulfur. Try the same test on samples of fats and carbohydrates to observe
if the results are different enough to detect proteins.
16.6.4 Tests for albumin and gelatine
1. Heat albumin and gelatine in separate test-tubes. They decompose when
heated, producing carbon and a mixture of gases one of which usually, but
not always, is ammonia.
2. Add small quantities of albumin and gelatine to water. Shake. Warm
the mixture and leave to cool. They are sparingly soluble in cold water
but are more soluble in hot water. When the hot solution is cooled, it may
set like a jelly.
16.6.5 Tests for proteins, biuret test
A "biuret test" is a general term for any reaction for a test for proteins
where sodium hydroxide solution is added then copper sulfate solution.
So a "biuret test" may not need to use biuret, NH2CONHCONH2,
at all!
Prepare a protein solution by shaking the egg white in its own volume of
water. Also, shake ground pea seeds with water for several minutes, filter
the mixture and keep the filtrate
1. Add 1 mL of 2 M sodium hydroxide solution and 1 mL of copper sulfate
solution to the sample solution. If the solution turns purple, protein
is present in the sample.
2. Add an equal volume of 1% potassium hydroxide solution + a few drops
of 1% copper sulfate solution to the sample solution. If the solution turns
purple, protein is present in the sample.
3. Add an equal volume of 40% sodium hydroxide solution to any protein
solution, e.g. egg albumin, dried milk, gelatine. Add drops of dilute copper
(II) sulfate solution with a light blue colour. The reaction produces a
violet colour.
Biuret test using biuret
Biuret, NH2CONHCONH2, is formed from heated urea,
crystallizes as NH2CONHCONH2.H2O. Alkaline
solution of biuret gives red-violet colour with copper (II) sulfate solution
because of reaction with peptide bonds but no reaction if solution contains
amino acids. The concentration of the colour is proportional to the amount
of protein (Beer-Lambert law) so the biuret test is approximately quantitative.
So if the sample contains soluble protein, the reagent
turns from light blue to purple but if the reagent remains light blue, the
sample does not contain protein. The biuret test detects peptide bonds between
amino acids.
1. Prepare biuret solution with potassium hydroxide, copper (II) sulfate and potassium sodium tartrate
(KNaC4H4O6·4H2O). If
the blue reagent turns violet it has detected proteins. If it turns pink
it has detected short-chain polypeptides.
2. Dissolve 3 g of copper sulfate and 12
g of potassium tartrate in 1 litre of deionized water. Slowly add 600 mL
of 10% sodium hydroxide with constant stirring. A purple colour indicates
protein.
3. Add to small quantities of albumin and gelatine to biuret solution,
potassium hydroxide solution and then a few drops of copper (II) sulfate
solution. They produce a deep blue violet colour when treated with solution
of copper (II) sulfate and an alkali.
16.6.6 Tests for proteins, xanthoproteic test
Do not allow students to handle concentrated nitric acid. In some school
systems, this test is not recommended for use in schools.
Prepare a protein solution by shaking the egg white in its own volume of
water. Also, shake ground pea seeds with water for several minutes, filter
the mixture and keep the filtrate.
1. Do protein tests on plant material by using expressed juice, aqueous
extracts, pieces of tissue, or on a microscopic slide on which thin slices
or sections of the tissue are placed. To a protein solution add one third
of that volume of concentrated nitric acid. Heat gently to boiling with
care. The precipitate changes from white to yellow. Cool the mixture under
the tap and add drops of concentrated ammonia solution. The reaction produces
an orange colour. Positive results come from proteins containing an aromatic
group, e.g. phenylalanine, tyrosine, tryptophane.
2. Add concentrated nitric acid to the protein solution then heat the solution
with care. Note the yellow colour. Cool the mixture under the tap then add
drops of concentrated ammonia solution. The colour intensifies to orange.
Repeat the experiment with expressed plant juice, pieces of plant tissue
and slices of plant tissue on a microscopic slide. Be careful! Concentrated
ammonia it can cause skin burns and has a very strong odour when a large
amount of the gas (50 parts per million) is in the air. Low levels of ammonia
may harm some asthmatics and other sensitive individuals. Students should
not do this test
16.6.7 Tests for proteins, Millon's test
Prepare a protein solution by shaking the egg white in its own volume of
water. Also, shake ground pea seeds with water for several minutes, filter
the mixture and keep the filtrate.
Add drops of Millon's reagent and heat.
Be careful! Millon's Reagent contains mercury (I) nitrate in nitrous acid.
This document does not recommend the use of mercury salts in school experiments.
However, the amount of mercury (I) nitrate in drops of Millon's Reagent is
very small.
Add drops of Millon's reagent to equal number of drops of a protein solution.
Proteins form a white precipitate that turns pink when heated. A brick-red
precipitate indicates the presence of the amino acid tyrosine.
2. Millon's reagent (Millon's solution)
In some school systems this test is not allowed because this reagent contains
mercury (I) nitrate. Do not prepare Millon's reagent.
Add drops of Millon's reagent to protein solution then heat the solution.
The protein precipitates and turns pink when heated.
4. Add drops of Millon's solution to albumin and gelatine and warm. They
produce a white precipitate, a brick-red colour develops on warming the
mixture.
16.6.8 Tests for proteins, Albustix test strips,
tetrabromophenol blue solution
Albustix strips are test papers dipped into buffered tetrabromophenol
blue solution (C19H10Br4O5S),
as an indicator solution. The indicator on the Albustix strip can combine
with proteins. This change will in turn change the colour of the strip
from yellow to shades of green. They are used by doctors to test the proteins
present in a sample of human urine both quickly and semi-quantitatively.
Protein in the urine may suggest kidney disease in which the glomerular
membrane allows passage of serum albumin and some serum globulin from the
plasma resulting in oedema. The test is most sensitive to albumin. Normally
e containing 20 mg / 100 L . Dip an Albustix strip in a protein solution and
observe the change in its colour.
One end of an albustix strip is impregnated with an inert base containing
tetrabromophenol blue (tetrabromophenoltetrabromsulphonphthalein) buffered
to pH3 with a citrate buffer. Saturation of the strip with protein causes
a colour change yellow to green to blue to show concentration of protein
in the solution.
16.6.10 Tests for proteins,
Sakaguchi's arginine test
Make a 5 mL test solution alkaline with drops of sodium hydroxide solution.
Add 5 drops of 2% alpha-naphthol in alcohol solution the one drop of sodium
hypochlorite or bleaching powder solution. A carmine colour indicates the
presence of arginine.
16.6.11 Tests for sulfur
in proteins
Add drops of lead acetate solution to 5 mL of egg albumen test solution.
Then add sodium hydroxide solution until the lead hydroxide precipitate
forms then dissolves. Heat to boiling. A brown-black precipitate of lead
sulfide indicates the presence of the amino acid cystine.
16.7.15 Commercially
available test reagents
1. Tests for carbohydrates: dextrin, fructose, galactose (+) glucose, inositol,
inulin, lactose, maltose, mannitol, ribose, soluble starch, sorbitol, sucrose.
2. Tests for proteins: casein, egg albumen, fibrin, gelatin, haemoglobin,
peptone.
3. Tests for: L-arginine, L-asinine, L-aspargine, L-cystine, 2-aminopentanedioic
acid (L-glutamic acid, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, L-aspartic acid, aminoethanoic
acid (glycine, amino-acetic acid) L-histidine monohydrochloride, L-leucine,
L-lysine hydrochloride (L-lysine monohydrochloride) DL-methionine, DL-phenylalanine,
L-proline, L-serine, L-threonine, L-tryptophane, L-tyrosine, L-valine.
4. Clinistix strips for (+) glucose in urine.
5. Albustix strips for protein (albumen) in urine.
5. Ketostix strips for ketones in urine
16.7.16 Artificial sweeteners
Non-sucrose sweeteners, e.g. "EQUAL", contain lactose and aspartic acid,
so that 1 sachet 16 kJ = 2 level teaspoonfuls of "sugar", sucrose (140 kJ)
16.8.2 Prepare ferric tannate with tea leaves
Tannin is a mixture of organic chemicals related to polyhydroxy-benzoic
acids. Tannin has a bitter taste and is astringent, i.e. it contracts
the mouth. It is found in the bark and other tissues of many plants probably
to control grazing. It is used to prepare black ink and leather from animal
hides.
1. Add 200 g (2 tea bags) of dried tea to 250 mL of boiling water.
2. Add an unused pad of steel wool to 100 mL of vinegar, boil for 10 minutes,
then strain through cotton wool in a filter funnel. Leave to cool then add
1 mL of hydrogen peroxide solution to produce a brown red, indicating iron
(III).
3. Add equal volumes of solution 1. to solution 2. to produce a black
solution of ferric tannate.
2H+ + Fe --> Fe2+ + H2
2H+ + 2Fe2+ + H2O2 -->
2Fe3+ + 2H2O
Fe3+ + tannic acid --> ferric tannate
4. Test for tannic acid in tea. When tea has been brewed for a long time
it develops a bitter taste because of tannic acid dissolved out of the tea
leaves. Test tea which has been left standing for a time by pouring one or
two drops into a test-tube. Add 4 cm of water. Add drops of ammonium iron
(III) sulfate solution. A black precipitate of iron tannate forms.
16.8.3 Extraction of caffeine and benzoic acid from
soft drinks, e.g. cola and lemonade
16.3.6.2.11 Purine (group of alkaloids,
caffeine)
See diagram 16.21.10: Purines
1. Isolation of caffeine
Add 2 g of sodium carbonate to 50 mL of a cola (kola) drink in a 1 litre
conical flask. Add 50 mL of dichloromethane (methylene chloride) and swirl
gently for five minutes. Do not shake. Transfer into a separating funnel
and leave to settle for 10 minutes). Drain the lower methylene chloride
layer into a 250 mL conical flask. Add 50 mL more dichloromethane to the
separating funnel and enclose with a stopper. Carefully invert the separating
funnel 3 times to allow any remaining caffeine to be extracted into the
dichloromethane layer. Again drain the lower methylene chloride layer into
the 250 mL conical flask. Add 5 g of anhydrous magnesium sulfate to remove
the water when it forms insoluble hydrated magnesium sulfate. Filter the
now clear dichloromethane through cotton wool pad into a 250 mL beaker.
Evaporate the dichloromethane on a water bath in a fume cupboard or distil
it off to recover the solvent. Weigh the remaining precipitate. Test the
precipitate by putting a small amount on a watch glass and mix with 3 drops
of concentrated hydrochloric acid. Be careful! Add small crystals of potassium
chlorate. Mix with a glass rod and evaporate to dryness on a water bath in
a closed fume cupboard. Leave the watch glass to cool then moisten the residue
with 2 drops 2 M ammonia solution. The residue turns purple
2. Isolation of benzoic acid
Pour half a drink-can of lemonade is poured into a 1 L conical flask and
add 2 drops of dilute hydrochloric acid. Add 50 mL dichloromethane then
swirled gently for five minutes. Pour into a separating funnel and leave
to allowed to settle for 5 minutes. Drain the solvent layer into a 100 mL
beaker and leave to evaporate in a fume cupboard. A residue of benzoic acid
remains.
16.9.1 Burn carbohydrates, fats and proteins
See 19.3.4.2: Browning
1. Heated proteins produce ammonia like compounds with different odours.
Burning carbohydrates have a smell of caramel. Burning fats produce acrolein
that prepares the eyes water.
2. Heat separately, until beginning to burn, small samples of: 1. carbohydrate,
e.g. starch or sugar 2. fat, e.g. butter 3. protein, e.g. meat. Note the
difference in smells produced. Continue heating all samples until a residue
of carbon remains.
16.9.2 Heat food with copper (II) oxide
Heat food with copper (II) oxide. Water condenses on the cooler parts
of the tube. Test the gas in the test-tube with limewater by withdrawing
some gas in a teat pipette and passing it through lime water. The gas
is carbon dioxide. Copper (II) oxide releases oxygen to the food.
16.10.1 Breakdown starch to sugars, hydrolysis of
starch, iodine test, Fehling's test
(C12H20O10)n + nH2O
+ H+ --> nC12H22O11 + nH2O
+ H+ --> 2nC6H12O6
starch --> maltose.--> glucose
1. Put 10 mL of dilute starch solution into a test-tube. Add to this 1
mL of saliva and stir this into the starch solution. Record the time of adding
the saliva. At 5 minute intervals remove three drops by means of a dropper
and put them on a clean white tile taking care to keep them from running
into other. The dropper must be washed between each test. Put some iodine
solution on each drop. The decreasing intensity of the blue colour shows
the decreasing amount of starch. To tests for increasing amounts of sugar,
put three drops of the reaction mixture into a small test-tube. Add 3 mL
of Fehling's solution and heat this mixture almost to boiling point. The
test should show that there is more sugar after boiling.
2. Boil cut potato in water then let cool. Filter the solution to separate
the soluble amylase from the insoluble amylopectin of the starch grains.
Add tincture of iodine to the filtered starch solution An intense blue colour
occurs. The solution contains beta-amylase, C6H10O5
that forms a complex with iodine: (beta-amylase)p (I-)
(I2)r(H2O)s [where r < p < s].