Benedict reagent for monosaccharides and aldehydes

Recipe:
For 1 L of solution
-100g anhydrous Na2CO3 or 350g NaHCO3
-173g Citric acid
-20g CuSO4. 5H2O

The test uses a visible effect (brown precipitate) to determine the reductive property of a substance.
In normal conditions it is a blue coloured solution, with a basic pH.

Upon exposure to a reducing agent and heat, it produces a brown precipitate of Cu2O (cupric oxide) *this
precipitate is soluble in acid medium

Benedict reagent for monosaccharides and aldehydes

The following reaction occurs:

The reaction occurring is the oxidation of the reducing agent and the reduction of the Cu 2+ ion to Cu+
which rapidly combines with oxygen to form Cu2O.

Oxidation of a reducing agent (glucose in this case to gluconic acid)

Depending on the concentration of the reducing agent it gives a different colour. Corresponding to the
quantity of Cu2O produced.

Benedict reagent for monosaccharides and aldehydes

Concentration of reducing agent

This test can detect concentrations of 0.5 %< making it a sensible test