Food Tests.

Question 1

Explain the Benedict’s test.

Answer 1

Sugars classed as reducing sugars
will react with Benedict’s solution on heating for a few minutes. Glucose is an example of a reducing sugar.

Add an equal amount of Benedict’s solution, add about 2cm cubed of test solution (e.g. glucose) and heat it in a water bath with a Bunsen burner for a few minutes.

The precipitate takes a while to settle in the tube – you’re more likely to see simply a red or brown colour. If there’s not much glucose present, the final colour may be green or yellow, or orange if there’s a little more.

Question 2

Positive result for Benedict’s test?

Answer 2

Brick-red precipitate.