Module #7

Tests for Lipids

What are lipids?
• Organic compounds that include fats, oils, hormones
and certain components of membranes
• Form cell membranes, store energy, absorb vitamins
and make hormones
General Characteristics of Lipids
• Insoluble in water
• But soluble in one or more solvents of low polarity
• Lipids are esters of fatty acids
• Lipids can be utilized by living organisms
Why are lipids important?
• Source of energy
• Essential component of cellular structures especially the cell
membrane
Definition of Terms
• Iodine number – the mass of iodine in grams that is
consumed by 100 grams of a chemical substance
• Often used to determine the amount of saturation in fats, oils
and waxes.
• ↑ iodine value = ↑ unsaturation of lipids
• Saponification of fats – the hydrolysis of fats and oils in the
presence of a base
• Saponification is used to make soap
• All soap is made from fats and oils, mixed with alkaline (basic)
solutions
Translucent Spot Test
• What is it?
• A simple and quick test to identify the presence of lipids in a sample
• Based on the principle that lipids are greasy and do not evaporate at room
temperature
• Positive result
• The appearance of translucent or oily spot on the paper which does not disappear
even after heating the paper
• Materials Needed
• Lipid sample
• Piece of filter paper
• Dropper
• Link
Lipid Solubility Test
• What is it?
• A preliminary test that detects the presence of lipids based on their solubulity in
different solvents
• Positive result
• Dissolution/miscibility of lipids
• Materials Needed
• A lipid sample
• Different solvents
• Water, ethanol, chloroform, etc.
• Test tubes and labels
• Droppers
• Link
Acrolein Test
• What is it?
• A qualitative test that detects the presence of glycerol or fats in a sample
• Positive result
• Release of acrolein when sample is heated with potassium bisulfate
• Characterized by a pungent odor
• Materials needed
• A sample of glycerol or fat
• Potassium bisulfate crystals
• A test tube and a holder
• A heat source
• Link
Huble’s Test
• What is it?
• A qualitative test that detects the degree of unsaturation in oils and fats
• Positive Result
• Fading of the violet color of iodine when it is added to an unsaturated oil or fat
• Materials needed
• An oil or fat sample
• Hubl’s reagent
• Iodine + Mercuric Chloride
• Test tube and a holder
• A dropper
• Link