Picric acid test

Principle

The picric acid test for carbohydrates is a very sensitive chemical test for the presence of reducing
sugars. The reducing sugars react with Picric Acid (toxic yellow crystalline solid) also chemically known as
2,4,6-trinitrophenol (TNP) to form a red colored Picramic Acid. All monosaccharides and disaccharides
containing the potentially free aldehyde or ketone group possess reducing properties. Reducing sugars
contains a free aldehyde or ketone group possess reducing property. They reduce some organic acids
when in alkaline solution. The Sodium Carbonates added to make the solution alkaline or basic. Thus,
reducing sugars reduce picric acid (yellow solution) to picramic acid (mahogany red solution).

Procedure

Place 1 ml of each of the sugar solution in separate test tubes. To each add 1 ml of picric acid. Warm the
six test tubes in a water bath. After add sodium carbonate solution upon water bath and observe any
change.

Results.

Glucose solution = red color is observed (+)

Galactose solution = red color is observed (+)

Fructose solution = red color is observed (+)

Lactose = red color is observed (+)
Maltose solution = brownish red is observed
sucrose solution = no precipitation (-)
glycogen solution = no precipitation (-)
starch solution = no precipitation (-)

Positive result for Picric acid test indicates the presence of reducing sugars. Formation of
MAHOGANY RED SOLUTION indicates positive result.

Why is picric acid called acid?

Picric acid is nothing but a derivative of phenol. And phenol is weakly acidic due to presence of OH
group. which on dissociation forms Hydrogen ions.
Why is picric acid yellow in color?

It is yellow in color due to the presence of chromophore. Chromophore group is the molecule or moiety
which is responsible for color in the compound. Nitro group give yellow color to the compound. Picric
acid having three nitro group due to this picric acid having intense yellow color.