Page 40 - 01 CARBOHYDRATES for TCM

Phytochemical test for carbohydrates

Tests Objectives Positive

Barfoed’s Test For determination of monosaccharide - red precipitate is formed within two minutes, a

or disaccharide monosaccharide is present
- red precipitate is formed after ten minutes of heating, a

disaccharide is present.

Molisch’s test For carbohydrate Purple color ring indicate the presence of carbohydrate.
(soluble and insoluble carbohydrates.)

Iodine test For starch Blue color indicate the presence of starch.

Fehling’s solution Test For reducing sugar Reducing sugar (giving brick red precipitation)

Keller-Kiliani test For deoxy sugar Reddish brown color is produced which gradually
becomes blue

Phenol-sulphuric Acid Total carbohydrate Yellow color

(glucose)

m-hydroxyphenyl method Total uronic acid Pink color

(Uronic acid)