Arbil polytechnic unveristy

Shaqlawa technical colege

MLT-Dipartment
Second semester

Carbohydrates test:
{Barfoed test ,Iodine test,Seliwanoffat test}

Prepared by : Supervisor by:

Sarkaut Muhamad. Ms:Fatima

2023–2024
Introduction

1. **Barfoed Test**: The Barfoed test is a chemical

test used to distinguish between monosaccharides
(simple sugars) and disaccharides (double sugars).
It is based on the ability of monosaccharides to
reduce copper ions in an acidic medium.
Monosaccharides react quickly with copper ions
under these conditions to form a red precipitate of
copper(I) oxide, while disaccharides do not react as
readily.

2. **Iodine Test**: The iodine test is used to detect

the presence of starch in a solution. Iodine reacts
with the helical structure of starch molecules to
form a blue-black complex. This color change
indicates the presence of starch.

3. **Seliwanoff Test**: The Seliwanoff test is a

specific test used to distinguish between aldose and
ketose sugars. It relies on the reaction of ketoses
with resorcinol in concentrated acid to produce a
cherry-red color, while aldoses react more slowly
and produce a less intense color. This test is
particularly useful in differentiating between
similar sugars in biochemical analysis.

Each of these tests plays a crucial role in

carbohydrate analysis and identification in various
fields such as biochemistry, food science, and
pharmaceuticals.

Equipment & Glasswar

• Test tube

• Beaker

• Magnetic Stirrer

Chemical & Reagent

• Reagent

• The type of Captured sugar

 Procedure (Barfoed test )

➢ To 2mL of Barfoed reagent,add 2mL of Carbohydrate

solution
➢ Keep the test tubes in the boiling water bath for 3min
➢ Cool under running water
➢ Over heating should be avoided
➢ Observe any colour change or precipitate formation

Procedure (Iodine test )

➢ Add 1mL of the sample into a clean test tube

➢ Add few drops of iodine solution to it
➢ Observed any colour change

Procedure(Seliwanoff’s test)

➢ Add 2mL of Seliwanoff’s reagent to a clean test tube

➢ Keep the test tube in a water bath for 1min
➢ Observe the formation of color and not it down
Discussion
Sure, let's discuss the Barfoed test, Iodine test, and
Seliwanoff test:

1. **Barfoed Test:**
- This test is used to distinguish between
monosaccharides and disaccharides, specifically to
differentiate between reducing monosaccharides and
non-reducing disaccharides.
- In the Barfoed test, a solution of the carbohydrate is
mixed with Barfoed's reagent (copper acetate in dilute
acetic acid) and heated. Monosaccharides react faster
than disaccharides, forming a red precipitate of
cuprous oxide (Cu₂O) if present.
- The test is relatively simple and quick, providing a
visual indication of the presence of reducing sugars.

2. **Iodine Test:**
- The iodine test is primarily used to detect the
presence of starch in a solution.
- When iodine is added to a starch solution, it forms a
blue-black color complex. This color change is due to
the formation of a helical structure between the iodine
molecule and the starch molecules.
 - The test is widely used in biology and biochemistry
laboratories to detect the presence of starch in various
samples.

3. **Seliwanoff Test:**
- The Seliwanoff test is used to differentiate between
aldose and ketose sugars.
- In this test, the sugar solution is heated with
resorcinol in concentrated hydrochloric acid. Ketoses
react more rapidly than aldoses, forming a cherry-red
color, while aldoses produce a light pink color.
- This test relies on the formation of furfural
derivatives, which are more readily formed from
ketoses than aldoses due to the differences in their
molecular structures.

Each of these tests plays a crucial role in carbohydrate

chemistry and biochemistry, aiding in the
identification and characterization of different types of
sugars based on their chemical properties and
reactions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Barfoed test, Iodine test, and Seliwanoff
test are important chemical tests used in carbohydrate
analysis:

- The Barfoed test distinguishes between monosaccharides

and disaccharides by detecting reducing sugars, with
monosaccharides reacting faster to form a red precipitate.

- The Iodine test is employed to detect the presence of

starch, indicated by a blue-black color complex formation
between iodine and starch molecules.

- The Seliwanoff test differentiates between aldose and

ketose sugars based on the rate of reaction with resorcinol in
concentrated hydrochloric acid, producing distinct color
changes for each type of sugar.

These tests are valuable tools in biochemical analysis, aiding

in the identification and characterization of various
carbohydrates based on their chemical properties and
reactions.