Chemical Tests and Properties

If a chemist is given an unknown sample he can use a number of chemicals tests to determine if the sample contains a carbohydrate, a fat/oil or a protein. If it does contain one of these, sometimes further tests can be performed to help classify and possibly to identify it. Some of the available chemical tests are listed below.

In this experiment you will be testing food samples. The solutions prepared from these samples will often be colored or contain some particulate material. Both of these factors can alter the appearance of a positive or negative test result. You must take these into account when determining if a particular test was positive or negative.

Make sure to record the intensity of any color change you observe. The intensity depends on both the amount of material in the sample and the sensitivity of the test being used. The observance of a negative result does not preclude the possibility that a small amount of material is present in the test solution.

This completes the background material. Proceed to the prelab.

introduction

background

prelab

experiment

postlab

Chemical Tests and Properties

Lipid Tests

Carbohydrate Tests

Protein Tests