VI.

Analysis

Food is any substance consumed to provide nutritional support for an organism. It is usually of
plant or animal origin, and contains essential nutrients, such as carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, or
minerals. The substance is ingested by an organism and assimilated by the organism's cells to provide
energy, maintain life, or stimulate growth.

In the experiment, 7 food samples were tested; fruit juice, margarine, egg white, egg yolk,
peanuts, steamed rice, and dried dilis. These food samples were tested for the nutrients present in them.
Specifically, it was tested for the presence of mineral matter, fat, carbohydrates, proteins, and vitamin A.

In the test for carbohydrates, all the food samples that were tested came out positive. In order to
test for carbohydrates, Molisch test was used. It is indicated by the presence of a purple/violet ring. The
1-naphtol reacts with the cyclic aldehydes to form the purple colored condensation products which is the
furfuryl-diphenyl-methane-dyes.

In the test for proteins, all the food samples that were tested came out positive. In order to test
for proteins, Biuret test was conducted. It is indicated by the formation of a blue/violet color.It results in
the reaction with alkaline CuSO4 giving a violet-colored coordination complex.

In the test for fats, all the food samples that were tested came out positive. It was tested by using
the ether extract and placing it on a brown paper and warming it above a low flame. Translucent on the
paper indicates the presence of fat.
 In the test for vitamin A, only margarine and egg yolk gave a positive result. Carr-Price test was
used and it is indicated a solution with colors ranging from blue to green to grey to pink. Chloroform is
used to dissolve vitamin A and SbCl3 (antimony trichloride) will react with vitamin A to produce molecules
which have blue color in the solution.

In the test for mineral matter, all the food samples that were tested came out positive. It is tested
by burning a portion of the sample inside a crucible and it is indicated by the presence of a white powdery
residue.

VII. Conclusion

Food is important to sustain life for it contains the essential nutrients needed by our body. In the
experiment, all the food samples tested were positive with mineral matter, fat, carbohydrates and
proteins. In the test for vitamin A, only margarine and egg yolk came out positive.

References:

1. The Wall of Biochemistry. (2019). Vitamin’s Test. [online] Available at:

https://fulltimes.wordpress.com/vitamin/ [Accessed 4 Sep. 2019].
2. Brilliant Biology Student. (2019). Biuret Test for Protein. [online] Available at:
http://brilliantbiologystudent.weebly.com/biuret-test-for-protein.html [Accessed 4 Sep. 2019].
3. glucose, C. and HASAN, Y. (2019). Clarification in the mechanism for Molisch's test for glucose.
[online] Chemistry Stack Exchange. Available at:
https://chemistry.stackexchange.com/questions/106734/clarification-in-the-mechanism-for-
molischs-test-for-glucose [Accessed 4 Sep. 2019].