Page 87 - Pharmd general phytochemistry I-Final2024_LEUCTERS

content and should be stored in sealed containers over
dehydrating agents.

Chemical tests for Identification:

1- Color reactions due to the aglycone moiety:
 Reactions due to the steroidal nucleus:
- Liebermann’s test: Cardiac glycosides in glacial acetic acid +
H2SO4 → red, violet, blue to green.

These are positive with any compound containing a steroidal nucleus
including cardenolides and bufadienolides:

 Reactions for cardenolides due to the (-CH2-) group of the 5-
membered lactone ring:

- Legal’s test: Cardenolide + Na nitroprusside + NaOH→deep red
color.
- Raymond’s test: Cardenolide + m-dinitrobenzene + NaOH → violet
color
- Kedde’s test : Cardenolide+ 3,5-dinitrobenzoic acid + NaOH →
violet.
- Baljet’s test : Cardenolide + picric acid + NaOH → orange or red.
These are characteristic for cardenolides having a 5-membered
lactone ring.

2- Color reactions due to the 2-deoxy sugar moiety:

Keller-Killiani’s test:

- The glycoside is dissolved in glacial acetic acid that contain
traces of FeCl3, and then concentrated H2SO4 is carefully added
on the side of the test tube to form a lower layer

blue ring is formed in between the two layers.

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