Practical Manual of Biochemistry

About the authors
Dr. Sattanathan, Assistant Professor in Life Science, at MASS College of

Arts and Science, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur Dt. Tamilnadu, India, has teaching
Practical Manual of Biochemistry

Biotechnology for the last 5 years. He has also worked in other institutes and he
has publihsed a number of scientific papers in national and international journals.
Dr. Padmapriya has working in Dharmapuram Gnanambigai Govt. Arts

College for Women, Mayiladuthurai. She has been in the Fish Immunology field
for the last 10 years.
Dr. B. Balamuralikrishnan, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor in Department

Practical Manual
of Food Science and Biotechnology, Sejong University, Seoul, South Korea. His
area of research focuses multidisciplinary in biological science on Molecular
Genetics, Food Microbiology, Animal Science, Nutrition Science and Food
of Biochemistry
Biotechnology, especially Food Resources and Microbiological Science. His
interests include synthesis of nanomaterials/bioactive compounds from natural-
by products and their applications nutraceutical; isolation, and characterization
of probiotic for food/feed supplementation and biological field; interested in
Nutrition in Aquaculture. To, his credit, he has participated in various
International/symposia/conferences in USA, Canada, Japan, Austria, Italy,
Czech Republic, Thailand, South Korea and has published more than seventy
five research papers in international journal of repute. He has been serving as
Academic Editor in Plos One, Guest Editor in Animals [MDPI] and act as
potential reviewer in many high reputed journals. He has been acted Life
Member in various scientific societies such as The Korean Society of Food
Science and Technology, Poultry Science Association, Korean Society of Animal
Science and Technology, Animal Nutrition Society of India (ANSI). Dr. B.
Balamuralikrishnan, worked as Post-doctoral researcher in Department of
Animal Science, Dankook University, South Korea and Research Assistant in
Department of Zoology, Bharathiar University, India.
Dr. G. Sattanathan, Ph.D.,

Website: www.skyfox.co Dr. S.S. Padmapriya, Ph.D.,
Email:skyfox@skyfox.org.in Dr. B. Balamuralikrishnan, Ph.D.,
Practical
Manual of
Biochemistry
Dr. G. Sattanathan, Ph.D.,

Dr. S.S. Padmapriya, Ph.D.,
Dr. B. Balamuralikrishnan, Ph.D.,
AUTHOR INFORMATIONS
Dr Sattanathan Govindharajan Ph.D.,

Assistant Professor
Department of Life Science
MASS College of Arts and Science, Kumbakonam,
Taminadu, India
Dr Swaminathan Padmapriya Ph.D.,

Guest Lecturer
Department Of Zoology
Dharmapuram Gnanambigai Government Arts College
For Women,
Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu, India.
Dr Balasubramanian Balamuralikrishnan Ph.D.,

Assistant Professor
Department of Food Science and Biotechnology,
College of Life Science, Sejong University,
Seoul 05006, South Korea
First Edition : December 2020

Cover Art and Design : Authors
ISBN : 978-81-939536-5-5
DOI : https://doi.org/10.22573/spg.020.BK/S/028
Copyright : © 2020 by Authors
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Preface
Biochemistry, a fascinating subject dealing with all the body's
functions and reactions. Clinical biochemistry has a tremendous effect on
patients' diagnosis and treatment. Medical students should be aware of the
procedures, the parameters of diagnosis and their estimations. They
should acquire sound knowledge of the diagnostic reports and their
consequences that contribute to disease diagnosis and prognosis.
The most rapidly growing subject is biochemistry, which is
extensively applicable to molecular understanding of the disease.
Estiamations of various biochemical parameters definitely provide an
insight into the normal metabolism and its aberrations, which form the
basis for medicine, leading to diseases. In relation to health and disease,
biochemistry shpuld is encouraged that will make the topic more
interesting and fascinating for the students. We hope that this practical
biochemistry book will help medical students to think about the different
facts found in the body's reactions.
Dear students, let us admit that, given the fact that it is non-
clinical, extensive, volatile and there is little in it to arouse any amount of
interest in medical graduates, biochemistry is seldom a favorite of medical
graduates. We have realized that practice is where they have shown some
enthusiasm for biochemistry in our biochemistry teaching to
undergraduate medical students.
Our main objective is to make this book as simple and attractive
as possible for undergraduate biochemistry, allied biochemistry, medical,
non-medical students, which is evident from the book's title. Each
practical session has been reorganized to achieve this objective in such a
way that it is easy to understand. Wherever possible, the subject is
presented in tabular format so that it becomes very concise, and all test
results are given color so that one realizes the practice of the simple task
of reading the book itself. The basic concepts and values behind each
experiment are explained in a simple manner.
Our only real concern is to help you understand the subject in an
easy and organized way so that not only in your examinations, but also in
your future medical career, this little knowledge comes as a big help.
To make this book a better one, we will be happy to accept
constructive criticism and fruitful suggestions.
Dr. K. Saravanan
Principal,
MASS College of Arts and Science,
Kumabkonam.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I would like to thank God for enabling me to do this work. I

thank my parents, teachers for molding me to reach this
level. I extend my gratitude to my colleagues for their
support.
CONTENTS
1. Rules and Procedures of General Safety 1

2. Buffer solution preparation And pH measurement 3
3. Introduction of Carbohydrates 8
4. Qualitative Analysis of Carbohydrates 10
5. Introduction of Proteins 21
6. Tests for Proteins 23
7. Introduction of Aminoacids 30
8. Tests on Amino Acids 31
9. Qualitative Tests for Lipids 35
10. Sample Collcetion 41
11. Anticoagulants 48
12. Type of Collection Procedures 53
13. Proximate Analysis 55
14. Estimation of Reducing Sugar by Benedict’s Method 56
15. Estimation of Protein by Lowrey’s Method 59
16. Estimation of Cholesterol by Zak’s Method 61
17. Estimation of DNA by Diphenylamine Method 63
18. Separation of Amino Acids by TLC 65
19. Separation of Sugars by Paper Chromatography 66
20. Estimation of CSF Sugar By Trinders Method 68
21. Estimation of RNA by Orcinol Reaction 69
22. Determination of Reducing Sugars 71
23. Effect of Temperatures on Salivary Amylase 73
24. Effect of pH on Salivary Amylase 75
25. Estimation of Haemoglobin 77
26. Estimation of Hb by Cyanmethemoglobin Method 78
27. Isolation of Chloroplast DNA 80
28. Isolation of Mitochondria 82
29. Identification of Lipids by TLC 84
30. Determination of Starch in Plant Tissues 86
31. Isolation of Casein from Milk 88
32. Determination of The Acid Value of a Fat 89
33. Saponification Value of Fat 90
34. Estimation of Blood Cholesterol 91
35. Isolation of RNA From Yeast 92
36. Estimation of Chlorophyll Concentration 93
37. Determination of Total Erythrocyte Count 95
38. Determination of Total Leucocyte Count 96
39. Determination of Packed Cell Volume (PCV) 97
40. Determination of Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) 98
41. Determination of Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin 99
42. Determination of Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin
Corpuscular 100
43. Differential Leukocyte Count 101
44. Determination of Serum Amylase 102
45. Estimation of Serum Uric Acid 103
46. Phytochemical Analysis 105
47. References 117
1. RULES AND PROCEDURES OF GENERAL SAFETY
1. Prior to attending that laboratory session, the laboratory procedures must be

read.
2. Laboratory smoking, eating and drinking are absolutely prohibited at any
time in the laboratory.
3. Only closed-toe shoes should be worn in the lab. Due to the constant risk of
cuts and infections from broken glass found on the laboratory floors and
the possibility of chemical spills, sandals or open-toed or canvas shoes are
not allowed.
4. Keep your face, nose, eyes, ears and mouth away from your hands and other
objects. In the laboratory, the use of cosmetics in the laboratory is
prohibited.
5. Before and after use, work areas or surfaces must be disinfected.
6. While in the laboratory, laboratory coats must be worn and buttoned.
Outside of the laboratory, laboratory coats should not be worn.
7. When conducting any exercise or procedure in the laboratory, protective
eyewear must be worn.
8. To minimize the fire hazard or contamination of experiments, long hair
should be secured behind your head.
9. Prior to leaving the laboratory, hands must be washed.
10. Coats, books and other paraphernalia, such as purses, briefcases, etc., should
be placed in specified locations when entering the laboratory and never on
bench tops (except for your lab manual).
11. Never mouth-pipet anything (including water). Always use appliances for
pipetting.
12. Label all materials with your name, date and any other information
applicable (e.g., media,organism, etc.).
13. Waste disposal in its proper containers (see Biohazard Waste Disposal
below).
14. Note the hazard code on the bottle when handling chemicals and take the
appropriate precautions indicated.
15. Do not pour down the sink with chemicals.
16. Return to their appropriate places all chemicals, reagents, cultures, and
glassware.
17. Do not pour fluids that are biohazardous down the sink.
1
18. It is necessary to wash the glassware with soap and water, then rinse it with
distilled water.
19. Flame transfer loops, wires, or needles for transferring biological material
before and immediately after use.
20. Do not walk around the laboratory with infectious matter containing
transfer loops, wires, needles, or pipettes.
21. Around Bunsen burners, be careful. It is not always possible to see flames.
22. Turn off the incinerators before the laboratory leaves.
23. Report any broken equipment, report any broken glass, in particular those
containing infectious materials immediately.
24. Contact your course instructor or TA immediately if you are injured in the
laboratory.
25. In the event of further treatment being required, spills, cuts and other
accidents should be reported to the instructor or TA.
26. Familiarize yourself with safety equipment and emergency escape routes in
the laboratory.
27. Before putting it away, always wipe and clean your microscope's lenses. To
this end, use the relevant tissue paper and cleaning solution.
28. With all biological fluids, apply appropriate universal precautions.
29. Without the written permission of the course instructor or TA, do not
remove any materials from the laboratory.
2
2. BUFFER SOLUTION PREPARATION AND PH

MEASUREMENT
Principal
A buffer's main purpose is to control the solution's pH. Buffers
can also play secondary roles in a system, such as controlling ionic strength
or species solving, perhaps even affecting the structure or activity of protein
or nucleic acid. Nucleic acids, nucleic acid-protein complexes, proteins, and
biochemical reactions are stabilized by buffers (whose products might be
used in subsequent biochemical reactions). Complex buffer systems in
electrophoretic systems are used to control the pH and to establish the pH
gradient. Weak acids and bases are made up of buffer solutions that make
them comparatively resistant to pH change. Theoretically, buffers offer a
ready source of both acid and base to either supply additional H+ if the
process consumes H+ or if a reaction produces acid, combine it with excess
H+.
Reagents:
a. Acetic acid 0.2 M: glacial acetic acid 1.5 ml is made up to 100 ml by using
distilled water.
b. Citric acid: citric acid 2.10 gm in 100 ml distilled water.
c. Dibasic sodium phosphate: 5.3 gm of disodium hydrogen phosphate in
100 ml distilled water.
e. Monobasic sodium phosphate: 2.78 gm sodium dihydrogen phosphate in
100 ml distilled water.
f. Sodium acetate solution: 0.64 gm of sodium acetate in 100 ml distilled
water.
g. Sodium bicarbonate solution: sodium bicarbonate 1.68 gm in 100 ml
distilled water.
h. Sodium carbonate solution 0.2 M:2.12 gm anhydrous sodium carbonate
in 100 ml distilled water.
i. Sodium citrate solution 0.1 M: sodium citrate 2.94 gm in 100 ml distilled
water.
Procedure:
a. Acetic acid-sodium acetate buffer
Take a 100 ml flask and use a pipette to add 36.2 ml of sodium
acetate solution, and then add 14.8 ml of glacial acetic acid to it. Using
3
distilled water to produce a total volume of 100 ml. The resulting acetic
acid-sodium acetate buffer is 0.2 M. With the help of a pH meter, the pH is
measured. With distilled water, the electrode is washed, and then dipped in
the prepared buffer solution. The resultant pH is 4.6.
b. Barbitone buffer
In distilled water, mix 2.85 gm of diethyl barbituric acid and 14.2
gm of sodium diethyl barbititrate and then produce 1000 ml of final
volume. That's the buffer of barbitone. With the help of the pH meter, the
pH is measured, and the final pH comes out as 6.8.
c. Citrate buffer
Using distilled water, mix 46.5 ml of citric acid with 3.5 ml of
sodium citrate solution and add 100 ml to the final volume. This is a citrate
buffer of 0.1 M. With the help of a pH meter, the pH of this buffer is
measured and the pH is 2.5.
d. Carbonate-Bicarbonate buffer
Put 27.5 ml of sodium carbonate solution in a flask and add 22.5
ml of sodium bicarbonate solution to it. Then make 100 ml of the total
volume with the aid of distilled water. This is a buffer of 0.2 M carbonate-
bicarbonate. The pH meter is standardized, and the pH of the buffer
solution that is prepared is measured. The pH would be 10.2.
e. Phosphate buffer
Dihydrogen sodium phosphate (39 ml) is mixed with disodium
hydrogen phosphate (61 ml), and 200 ml of distilled water is added to the
final volume. This solution results in the phosphate buffer being 0.2 M.
Using a pH meter, the pH of the phosphate buffer is measured and 6.8 is
obtained.
Preparation of solutions (Molar, Normal) and Dilution

a. Solution Preparation
A solution is a homogeneous mixture produced in a solvent by
dissolving one or more solutes. The smaller chemical, the solute, is soluble
in the solvent (the chemical present in a larger amount). As standard (stock)
4
solutions, solutions with precisely known concentrations can be referred to.

These solutions are purchased directly from the manufacturer or formed by
dissolving the desired amount of solute into a specific volume volumetric
flask. Stock solutions are often diluted into lower concentration solutions
for experimental use in the laboratory.
b. Preparing a Standard Solution from a Solid

By two similar methods, a solution of known concentration can be
prepared from solids. Although there are inherent errors with each of the
methods, either for making solutions in the General Chemistry Laboratory
will be sufficient with careful technique.
In the first method, the solid solvent is weighed on paper or in a

small container and then transferred directly to a volumetric flask
(commonly called a "vol flask"). In transferring the solid into the slim neck
of the vol flask, a funnel could be helpful. In the vol flask, a small amount
of solvent is then added and the contents are gently swirled until the
substance is completely dissolved.
More solvent is added until the liquid meniscus reaches the

calibration mark (a process called diluting to volume) on the neck of the
volume flask. Until the contents are mixed and completely dissolved, the
vol flask is then capped and reversed several times. The drawback of this
method is that the original container, weighing paper, or funnel can adhere
to some of the weighed solid. Also, when it is transferred into the slim neck
of the vol flask, solid can be spilled.
In the second method, in a small beaker, the solid is weighed out

first. A small amount of solvent is added to the beaker and until the solid is
dissolved, the solution is stirred. The solution is then moved to the flask of
vol. Again a funnel may need to be inserted into the flask's slender neck.
The beaker, stirring rod, and funnel must be carefully rinsed before
adding additional solvent to the flask, and the washes added to the vol flask
to ensure that all remaining traces of the solution have been transferred.
The vol flask is finally diluted to volume (additional solvent is added to the
5
flask until the liquid level reaches the calibration mark). As before the flask
is capped and inverted until the contents are mixed thoroughly. The
downside to this technique is that if not thoroughly washed, some of the
solution may stick to the beaker, stirring rod, or funnel. Also, if they have
not been washed carefully, there is a chance of contamination from the
beaker, rod, or funnel.
c. Molar Solution
It consists of one mole of solvent in a solution equal to one liter.
Molar solution = Molecular weight in the solution in grams / liters.
Example: Sodium chloride molar solution I (NaCl).
Sodium atomic weight = 23
Chloride atomic weight = 35.5
Total molecular weight = 58.5 gram / mol
Now dissolve 58.5 grams of NaCl in distilled water and make the solution
to one liter.
d. Normal Solution
The normal solution is defined as the solution's gram equivalent
weight per liter.
Normal solution = gram equivalent solvent weight/solution liter.
These alternatives are expressed as N.
Gram equivalent weight = weight/valence of molecules
Example
1 N sodium chloride solution to make
• The NaCl molecular weight is 58.55.
• Gram equivalent NaCl weight = molecular weight / 1 (valency)
Dissolve 58.5 grams of NaCl in one liter of distilled water and make-up.
e. Percent Solution
1. This is per hundred of the total solution component.
2. A percentage solution has three possibilities.
Weight/weight is a solvent percentage equal to solute + solvent in 100
grams of final solution.
1. Weight/weight is a solvent percentage equal to solute + solvent in 100
grams of final solution.
6
1. For example, dissolving 5 grams of NaCl in 95 grams of water,

which is around 95 mL.
2. The weight/volume of for example 5 grams of NaCl dissolved in
water and the volume of 100 ml is called a 5 percent NaCl solution.
3. Two solutions consist of volume/volume. For example, if we
take 5 mL of acid and dilute it to 100 mL of water, that acid is a 5 percent
solution.
f. The Dilution
1. This procedure is very common for the preparation of serum dilution
where, if it is above 300 mg/dL, there is a high concentration of chemicals
such as urea in the blood.
2. If we manufacture a serum dilution like this:
1. Serum = 1 millilitre
2. Diluting 4 mL of fluid
3. This will be a dilution of 1:5 (1+4 =5).
7
3. INTRODUCTION OF CARBOHYDRATES
This experiment is intended to introduce you to one of the three

major classes of macronutrients found in food, carbohydrates. You will also
learn a variety of ways to categorize carbohydrates and several tests used in
the analysis of carbohydrates.
The experiment is composed of four parts that should be
completed in the order listed below (background, prelab, experiment,
postlab).
You may proceed directly to the section on carbohydrate tests if
you are already familiar with carbohydrates.
nCO2+ n H2O + energy CnH2nOn + nO2
It is possible to classify carbohydrates as simple or complex:

1- Simple carbohydrates, often referred to as simple sugars or
monosaccharides, contain one unit of saccharide and cannot be broken
down into smaller carbohydrates.
2- Those containing more than one group of saccharides are complex
carbohydrates.
- Disaccharides contain two units of monosaccharide.
- Oligosaccharides have 3-6 units of monosaccharides.
- Over 7 or more monosaccharide units may be contained in
polysaccharides. Through a process known as hydrolysis, complex
carbohydrates can be broken down into smaller carbohydrate units.
It is possible to classify monosaccharides in a number of ways.
They can be categorized by the number of atoms of carbon they contain.
While there are others, the most common are pentose (5 carbons) and
hexose (6 carbons).
Ketoses or aldoses may also be classified as monosaccharides. In
addition to having one or more hydroxyl groups, ketose contains a carbonyl
group. Besides the hydroxyl groups, an aldose contains an aldehyde group.
For an aldose or "aldohexose" for ketose, which is also a hexose, the two
descriptors are usually combined into a single term like "ketohexose". See
several examples of monosaccharides below.
8
Monosaccharides
Hydrolysis can break disaccharides into two monosaccharide units
and lose one molecule of water.
FDi-saccharides
Oligosaccharides can be broken by hydrolysis into 3-6
monosaccharide units and lose one or more water molecules, see the
example of oligosaccharides below.
Poly-saccharides
Polysaccharides can be broken into 7 or more units of monosaccharides by
hydrolysis and one or more molecules of water can be lost.
9
4. QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS OF CARBOHYDRATES
1. Solubility
Due to the polar hydroxyl groups that form H-bonds with water,
monosaccharides and oligosaccharides are readily soluble in water.
However, due to their large molecular weight, the polysaccharides make
translucent colloidal solutions.
2. Qualitative tests for carbohydrates:

There are several difficulties in their qualitative as well as
quantitative analysis when analyzing a sample containing a mixture of
carbohydrates, particularly sugar. These problems are attributed to their
structural and chemical resemblance, as well as their stereoisomerism. It is
therefore necessary to determine, during biochemical investigations,
whether or not a given sample contains carbohydrates. In order to establish
the presence or absence of a sugar or a carbohydrate in a sample, several
rapid tests are available. Such tests are based on specific typical color
reactions for their group. It is advisable to carry out these tests with the
individual in the laboratory rather than with a sugar mixture. The sensitivity
of these tests can be confirmed by using different concentrations of sugar
solutions (0.1- 1 percent ).
A. General tests for carbohydrates:

In order to detect the presence of carbohydrates in a solution, the
most common tests used are:
For all carbohydrates, whether free or in combined form, it is a
group test. It is routinely used to detect the presence of carbohydrates,
despite its limitations.
a. Molisch's Test
Principle
The response is based on the fact that H2SO4 concentrated
catalyzes the dehydration of sugars to form furfural (from pentoses) or
hydroxymethyl furfural (from hexoses). These furfurals then condense to
give a purple or violet colored product with sulfonated alpha-naphthol.
A+ve reaction is also provided by polysaccharides and glycoproteins. The
10
acid first hydrolyses it into monosaccharides, which are then dehydrated to

form furfural or its derivatives, in the case of the carbohydrate being a poly-
or disaccharide.
Reagents
(i) Conc.H2SO4
(ii) Molisch's reagent: 5 percent (w/v) of alpha-naphthol in 95% ethanol.
Procedure
Take 2 mL of the unknown solution and add the contents to the 2-
mixture. Incline the tube and pour 1-2 mL of conc.H2SO4 carefully down
the side of the tube. Tube so that a layer beneath the aqueous solution
forms the acid. The formation at the junction of two layers of a purple or
violet ring or zone indicates the presence of carbohydrates.
Precautions:
(i) The solution of alpha-naphthol is unstable and should be made
fresh.
(ii) Conc.H2SO4 should be carefully added along the sides of the
test tube, causing the contents of the tube to be minimally disturbed.
Limitations:
This test is also performed in addition to carbohydrates, furfurals
as such, certain organic acids, aldehydes and ketones. Secondly, due to the
charring action of acid, a concentrated sugar solution can give a red colour
instead of purple.
b) Anthrone test
Principle
Another general test for carbohydrates is anthrone reaction. Its
principle is the same as that of Molisch's, except that furfurals and
hydroxyl-methyl furfurals offer bluish green condensation products with
anthrone.
Reagents
Anthrone reagent: in conc.H2SO4, 0.2% (w/v) solution.
Procedure
In a test tube, add about 2 mL of Anthrone reagent to
approximately 0.5-1mL of the test solution and mix thoroughly. Watch if
the colour changes to bluish green. If not, after keeping them in a boiling
water bath for ten minutes, re-examine the tubes. A positive test indicates a
11
blue-green color.
B. Specific tests for carbohydrates:

a) Polysaccharide iodine test
This test is performed to differentiate polysaccharides from mono-
and disaccharides.
Principle
With various polysaccharides, iodine forms coloured adsorption
complexes. Because of iodine adsorption on the polysaccharide chains,
these complexes are formed. The colour intensity depends on the length of
the available unbranched or linear chain for the complex formation.
Therefore, amylose gives a deep blue color and amylopectin, the
unbranched helical component of starch, the branched component gives
red color because the chains do not effectively coil. Glycogen, which is also
highly branched, adds iodine to the red colour. This experiment is
performed in acidic or neutral solutions.
Reagents
(i) Iodine solution: prepare a 2% (w/v) KI solution in water to
which a few iodine crystals are added until the solution is deep yellow.
(ii) Starch solution: dissolve 1g of starch in about 10-20mL of
boiling water and add saturated sodium chloride solution to a volume of
100mL.
Procedure
In a test tube, take 3 mL of the test solution and add 1-2 drops of
dil.HCl.
Mix and then add 1-2 drops of the solution of iodine. Mix and
observe the change in colour. Heat the tube and again observe the colour.
When heated, the blue colour disappears and reappears when cooled.
(b) Tests based on the reduction of carbohydrate properties

Sugars with a free or potentially free group of aldehydes or ketones
act as reducing agents, and this becomes the basis for the tests carried out
to distinguish them from non-reducing sugars. These sugars have the ability
to easily reduce alkaline metal solutions such as copper, bismuth, mercury,
iron and silver. Aldo sugars are oxidized into the corresponding aldonic
acids, whereas shorter chain acids are produced by keto sugars. If in the
12
absence of sugar reduction, the alkaline copper solution is heated, the black
precipitate of cupric oxide forms:
Heat
Cu (OH)2 ------------ 2OH
However the alkaline solution of copper is reduced to insoluble

yellow or red cuprous oxide in the presence of a sugar reducer:
Heat
Sugar + 2 Cu(OH)2 -------------------- 2O + 2 H2O
A) Fehling's test
In this reaction, Rochelle salt acts as a chelating agent:
CuSO4 + 2KOH ------------ 2 + K2SO4
2Cu(OH)2 + Reducing Sugar ------------ 2O + Aldonic acid
Reagents
i) Fehling solution A:
Dissolve 69.38 g of copper sulfate in distilled water and make 1 L
of copper sulfate.
ii) Fehling's solution B:
Dissolve 250 g of NaOH in DW, add 346 g of potassium sodium
tartrate and add up to 1 L of volume.
Just before use, mix equivalent volumes of A & B solutions
because mixing causes deterioration with time.
Procedure
1 mL of Fehlings reagent is added to the remaining 1 mL solution.
Mix the test tubes thoroughly and place them in a boiling water bath. The
formation of yellow or red Cuprous Oxide precipitates indicates the
presence of sugar reduction.
Note
i) Leave the solution to stand for 10-15 minutes in the case of a mild
reduction, then decant the supernatant. It is then possible to see a small
amount of red or yellow precipitates adhering to the inner side of the tube.
ii) The Fehling test is only carried out with an alkaline solution
iii) Cuprous oxide is ammonia-dissolved. Small amounts of sugar reducers
13
can therefore not be detected in fluids saturated with ammonium salts, such
as urine.
B) Benedict's Test
Benedict modified the Fehling solution to produce a fairly stable,
enhanced single reagent. As a chelating agent, Sodium Citrate works. It is
very sensitive and sufficient precipitates are produced by even small
amounts of sugar reduction (0.1 percent).
Reaction
Reagents:
Qualitative reaction of Benedict:
Dissolve 173g of Sodium Citrate and 100g of Anhydrous Sod. In
about 800mL of water, carbonate by gently heating the contents. Then,
dissolve 17.3g of copper sulfate in about 100mL DW in a separate beaker.
Slowly pour this solution into the Carbonate-Citrate mixture with constant
stirring, and make up to 1 L with DW.
Procedure:
To add about 2 mL of Benedict's reagent, add 0.5-1 mL of the test
solution. Keep the test tubes in a bath of boiling water. .Note that green,
orange, yellow or red precipitates are formed, indicating the presence of
sugar reduction in the solution.
Note:
i) This test is particularly suitable for urinary sugar reduction detection
because it is more specific than the Fehling test, which is also positive for
non-reducing substances such as urates present in urine.
ii) This is a semi-quantitative test.
C) Barfoed's Test:
This test is performed to differentiate between mono- and
disaccharide reduction. Monosaccharides are more reactive reducing agents
than disaccharides and thus react in about 1-2 minutes, while it takes 7-12
14
minutes for the reducing disaccharides to get hydrolysed and then react in
the acidic solution. Therefore it is possible to detect the difference in
property reductions.
Reagents:
Barfoed's reagent:
66.5 g of Cupric acetate dissolved in approximately 900 mL DW.
Add 9 mL of Glacial Acetic Acid and boil. Cool and use DW to cool the
volume to 1 L and filter if necessary.
Procedure:
Take 2- solution: Keep the test tubes for only 1-2 min in a boiling
water bath. Then allow a while for the tubes to cool down. Thin red
precipitates indicate the presence of a reduction of monosaccharide at the
bottom or sides of the tube.
Note:
i) The boiling should not be prolonged beyond 1-2min, otherwise the
disaccharide reduction will respond to this test as well.
ii) This test is not effective in detecting urine sugar reduction due to the
presence of chloride ions.
D) Picric Acid Test:

This is another test for sugar reduction detection. To form a red
colored Picramic Acid, the decreasing sugars react with Picric Acid.
Reagents:
i) Picric acid saturation:
Dissolve 13 g of picric acid in 100 mL of DW, boil and cool.
(ii) Sodium Carbonate (10% solution).
Procedure:
Procedure: Add 1 mL of the above-mentioned reagent to 1 mL of
the test solution, followed by 0,5 mL of the 10% solution of sodium
carbonate. In a boiling water bath, heat the test tube. The presence of sugar
reduction in the solution indicates the appearance of a red color.
E) Seliwanoff’s Test
Principle:
This test is a keto hexose-specific timed colour reaction. It is
therefore used for the differentiation of aldoses from ketoses. Dehydration
15
is carried out in the presence of HCl ketohexoses to yield 4-hydroxy methyl

furfural more rapidly than aldohexoses. In addition, these furfural
derivatives condense to form a red coloured complex with resorcinol.
Reagents:
Seliwanoff’s reagent:
Dissolved in 100 mL dilute HCl (1:2)
Procedure:
Add 1 mL of the test solution to about 2 mL of the Seliwanoff reagent and
warm it in a boiling water bath for 1 min. The presence of ketohexose
indicates the appearance of a red colour (fructose).
Note:
i) Aldohexoses, e.g. glucose, also react if the boiling is prolonged because
the catalytic action of the acid is converted into fructose.
ii) Sucrose and inulin are also tested because they are hydrolysed by
fructose-giving acids.
Bial's Test for Pentoses

Principle:
This test is specific to pentoses and to pentose-containing
compounds and is therefore useful for pentose sugar determination. The
reaction is due to the formation of furfural in the acid medium which in the
presence of ferric ions, condenses with orcinol to give a blue-green
complex.
Bial's reagent:
Dissolve 1.5g of orcinol in 100 mL of Conc HCL and add 20 drops
of 10% solution of Ferric Chloride. Make yourself fresh.
Procedure:
Add 4 to 5 drops of the test solution to about 2 mL of Bial's
reagent. Heat until bubbles of gas rise to the surface in a boiling water bath.
The presence of pentose sugar indicates the formation of the green solution
and the precipitate.
E) Test for sucrose:

This test is performed only if the Barfoed test does not contain any
precipitation.
16
Principle:
In an unknown solution, the sucrose present is hydrolyzed to
glucose and fructose by acid. Then Seliwanoff's reagent forms the resulting
fructose in the solution.
Reagents:
i) Conc. of HCL
ii) Seliwanoff's reagent
iii) Sodium carbonate
Procedure:
Add 1-2 drops of conc HCl to approximately 2-3mL of test
solution and boil for about 8-minutes in a water bath. The appearance of
the red color indicates the presence of the hydrolytic sucrose product
fructose.
Note:
Benedict's reagent can be tested for sugar reduction by acid hydrolyzed
sample after cooling and then neutralizing with sodium carbonate.
f) Mucic acid test for galactose

Principle:
This test is highly specific to galactose, which is either present in
solutions independently or obtained by lactose hydrolysis. On heating with
HNO3, Galactose is converted to Saccharic acid (a strong oxidizing agent).
Mucic acid (galactaric acid) formed from galactose due to the aldehyde &
primary alcoholic group oxidation at C1&C6. It is the only saccharic acid
that is insoluble in cold water and thus assists in galactose identification.
Reagents:
i) Conc. of HNO3
Procedure:
Take 50 mg of galactose and 50 mg of glucose into the test tubes
separately. Add to each tube 1mL DW and 1mL conc HNO3. Heat the
tubes for about 1hr in a boiling water bath. Add 5mL of DW and slowly let
the tubes stand and cool. The presence of galactose will be indicated by
colorless needles such as crystals.
Note:
This test will also be administered with lactose.
17
(g) Osazone test / Phenylhydrazine test

This test is used to distinguish between lactose and maltose.
Principle:
The organic compound phenylhydrazine reacts to form osazones
with the carbonyl carbon of sugar. The shapes and melting point, time of
formation and solubility of these osazone crystals have yellow color
characteristics. In the following table, the characteristic characteristics of
osazone are given:
Carbohydrate Time of Solubility Crystalline structure
(Osazone) formation in
(Minutes) water
Fructosazone 2 Insoluble Needle shape
Glucosazone 5 Insoluble Needle shape
Galactosazone 20 Insoluble Thorny ball shape
Maltosazone 30-45 soluble Sunflower/Star shape
Lactosazone 30-45 soluble Cotton ball/
Powder puff shape
Procedure:
In a test tube, take 7-8 ml of carbohydrate solution and add a pinch
of phenylhydrazine to that and double the amount of sodium acetate and 10
drops of acetic acid. Dissolve and allow slow cooling by shaking. Observe
the shape of the crystal under low microscope power (10x).
Observations and conclusion:
Lactose forms crystals in the form of powder puffs, maltose forms
sunflower-shaped or star-shaped crystals, while glucose and fructose form
identical crystals in the form of needles.
18
Table: 5.1 Colour reactions of Carbohdyrates

S.No Test Observation Inference
1 Molisch Test (Ring test) Violet ring at Carbohydrate
Aqueous or alcoholic the junction o present
solution of substances _ two liquids
10% alcoholic solution of α-
napthol shake +
concentrated sulphuric acid
along the side of the tube
2 Solubility Soluble Mono &
Compound+water Disaccharides
Insoluble Polysaccharides
3 Fehling’s test
2 ml of Fehling’s A solution Yellow or Reducing sugars
+ 2 ml of Fehling’s B brick red present
solution precipitate
+ 2 ml of sugar solution.
Boil
4 Benedict’s test Green, yellow Reducing sugars
5 ml of benedict’s reagent + or red present
8 drops of sugar solution. precipitate
Boil for 2 min. Cool
5 Tommer’s test Yellow or red Reducing sugars
2 ml of tommer’s reagent + precipitate present
3 ml of sugar solution. Boil
for 2 minutes
6 Barfoed’s test Brick red Monosaccharides
2 ml of sugar solution + add precipitate at present
2 ml of Barfoed’s test the bottom of
reagent. Boil on water bath. the test tube.
7 Rapid furfural test Deep purple Ketoses like
1 to 2 ml of sugar solution + colour Fructose, Sucrose
add 1 ml of α-napthol present
solution (1% in alcohol) +
add 5 ml of conc. HCl and
Boil.
19
8 Osazone test a) Greenish Glucosazone is

0.2 gram of sugar + add 0.4 yellow needle glucose present
gram of phenyl hydrazine shaped
hydrochloride + 0.6 gram of crystals
sodium acetate + 4 ml of arranged in
distilled water. Add 6-8 fan-shape
drops of glacial acetic acid. b) Thin small Lactose present
Heat on a water bath for 20 needle shaped
minutes. Cool and allow crystals appear
crystallization. Observe luke ball of
crystals under microscope prickles
c) Sunflower
like crystals Maltose present
9 Iodine test i) Blue violet Starch present

Suspension or sugar solution colour
of polysaccharides + add 1-2 develops
drops of iodine solution ii)Brown wine Glycogen present
colour
develops
20
5. INTRODUCTION OF PROTEINS
Protein is an important macronutrient essential for survival. They

are constituent of calls and hence are present in all living bodies. 10-35% of
calories should come from protein. Protein is found in meats, poultry, fish,
meat substitutes, cheeses, milk etc.
Proteins are large biological molecules of alpha-amino acids (amino
acids in which the amino group is attached to alpha-carbon, which are
crystalline in nature and exist as zwitter ions). They contain carbon,
hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus and sulphur in some cases.
Molecules containing both the amino (NH2) and carboxylic
(COOH) groups are amino acids. To form a specific type of linkage known
as peptide linkage, amino acid molecules undergo a condensation reaction.
The products formed are classified as; depending on the number of
amino acid molecules involved in the condensation reaction.
Dipeptide
They are the products formed by the condensation of two
molecules of alpha-amino acid.
Tripeptide
They are formed by the condensation of three molecules of al-
amino acid.
21
If a large number of molecules of amino acids combine, the

formed product is called a polypeptide. A protein is called a polypeptide
that has a molecular mass greater than 10000. Proteins differ primarily from
each other in their amino acid sequence. There are about 20+ amino acids
here. Some amino acids are not produced by the body and are delivered by
diet. They are called amino acids, which are essential.
22
6. TESTS FOR PROTEINS

Solubility Tests
The solubility of amino acids and proteins is largely dependent on
the pH of the solution. The structural changes that occur at different pH
values in an amino acid or protein change the molecule's relative solubility.
Amino and carboxylic groups are both protonated in acidic solutions. Both
groups are deprotonated in basic solutions.
In water, amino acids are essentially soluble. Depending on the
structure of its side chains, their solubility in water, dilute alkali and dilute
acid varies from one compound to another. Glycine, tyrosine, glutamic acid
and cysteine will be used for this test.
Procedure:
The solubility of amino acids in water and alcohol should be noted
by placing a small quantity in the test tube, adding a few mL of solvent and
if necessary, warming up.
Use the litmus paper to determine whether the amino acid solution
is acidic or basic, while testing the solubility in water.
Using dilute HCl and dilute NaOH, repeat the solubility test.
WARNING: Avoid spilling ninhydrin solutions on your skin because it is
hard to remove the resulting stains.
Stability to Alkali
Amino acids do not develop NH3 or alkaline vapor when boiled
with alkali, unlike amides and volatile amines. In order to differentiate
amino acids from amines and amides, this method can be used. Apply this
test to the amine or amide provided and to glycine as well.
Procedure:
Pipette 1 mL 1% glycine and the amide or amine solution into
separate test tubes.
Add 1 mL dilute NaOH to each test tube and boil.
Test the vapor from each boiling tube with wet litmus paper.
Specific Reactions for Individual Amino Acids:
a) Xanthoproteic Test:
There are aromatic groups that are derivatives of benzene in some
amino acids. Reactions that are characteristics of benzene and benzene
derivatives can be experienced by these aromatic groups. The nitration of a
23
benzene ring with nitric acid is one such reaction. The amino acids that
have the benzene ring activated can easily undergo nitration. This nitration
reaction forms a yellow product in the presence of the activated benzene
ring. Apply this test to tyrosine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, and glutamic
acid.
Procedure:
To 2 mL amino acid solution in a boiling test tube, add equal
volume of concentrated HNO3.
Heat over a flame for 2 min and observe the color.
Now COOL THOROUGHLY under the tap and CAUTIOSLY
run in sufficient 40% NaOH to make the solution strongly alkaline.
Observe the color of the nitro derivativative of aromatic nucleus.

a) Millon’s Test:
The test by Millon is specific to phenol that contains structures
(tyrosine is the only common phenolic amino acid). Millon's reagent is a
concentrated HNO3 reagent that dissolves mercury. A red precipitate or a
red solution is regarded as a positive test as a consequence of the reaction.
A yellow HgO precipitate is NOT a positive response, but it usually shows
that the solution is too alkaline. This test can be applied to tyrosine,
phenylalanine.
Procedure:
To 2 mL amino acid solution in a test tube, add 1-2 drops of
Millon2s reagent.
Warm the tube in a boiling water bath for 10 min.
A brick red color is a positive reaction.
Note that this is a test for phenols, and the ninhydrin test should also be
positive if it is to be concluded that the substance is a phenolic amino acid.
b) Hopkin’s Cole Test:
In the presence of concentrated H2SO4, the indole tryptophan
group reacts with glyoxylic acid (glacial acetic acid, which has been exposed
to light, always contains CHOCOOH glyoxylic acid as an impurity) to give
a purple color. Apply this test to glycine, tyrosine and tryptophan.
Procedure:
To a few mL of glacial acetic acid containing glyoxylic acid, add 1-2
drops of the amino acid solution.
24
Pour 1-2 mL H2SO4 down the side of the sloping test tube to
form a layer underneath the acetic acid.
The development of a purple color at the interface proves a
positive reaction.
c) Lead-Sulfide Test:
When cystine is boiled with 40 percent NaOH, sodium sulfide is
covered with some sulfur in its structure (Na2S). Using a sodium plumbate
solution that causes the precipitation of PbS from an alkaline solution,
Na2S can be detected. In order to carry out this test, the sodium plumbate
solution must be prepared first. This test is applied to cysteine and cystine.
Procedure:
Sodium Plumbate Solution Preparation:
Add 5 mL dilute NaOH to 2 mL dilute lead acetate.
A white precipitate of lead hydroxide forms.
Boil until the precipitate dissolves with the formation of sodium
plumbate.
Boil 2 mL amino acid solution with a few drops of 40% NaOH for
2 min.
Cool and add a few drops of the sodium plumbate solution.
A brown color or precipitate is a positive test for sulfides.
d) Ehrlich Test:
Aromatic amines and many organic compounds (indole and urea)
provide this test with a color complex. This test is applied to tryptophan,
urea and glycine.
Procedure:
Put 0.5 mL of the amino acid solution to a test tube.
Add 2 mL Ehrlich reagent and observe the color changes.
Repeat the test with urea solution.
e) Sakaguchi Test:
To test for a certain amino acid and proteins, the Sakaguchi reagent
is used. The amino acid that this test detects is arginine. As arginine has a
group of guanidine in its side chain, in the presence of an oxidizing agent
25
such as bromine solution, it gives a red color with alpha-naphthol. Apply

Arginine to this test.
Procedure:
1 mL NaOH and 3 mL arginine solution is mixed and 2 drops of α-
naphthol is added.
Mix thoroughly and add 4-5 drops of bromine solution UNDER
THE HOOD!!
Observe the color change.
f) Nitroprusside Test:
The nitroprusside test is specific to cysteine, the only sulfhydryl
group amino acid containing cysteine (-SH). In the presence of excess
ammonia, that group reacts with nitroprusside. This test is used for
cysteine, cystine and methionine.
Procedure:
Put 2 mL amino acid solution into the test tube.
Add 0.5 mL nitroprusside solution and shake thoroughly.
Add 0.5 mL ammonium hydroxide.
g) Biuret Test:
The Biuret Test recognizes positively the presence of proteins (not less than
two peptides). The reaction in this test involves the complex formation in a
strongly alkaline solution of the proteins with Cu2+ ions. This test is
applied to gelatin, casein and albumin.
Procedure:
To 2 mL protein solution, add 5-6 drops of dilute CuSO4
(Fehling’s solution A diluted 1/10 with water)
Add 3 mL 40% NaOH solution.
If the protein tested is insoluble in water, then apply the procedure
given below:
Measure 3 mL acetone and 1.5 mL water into a test tube.
Add 1 drop of dilute NaOH and a little piece of protein to be
tested.
Boil continuously over a small flame for 2 min and cool.
26
Add 0.5 mL 40% NaOH and 2 drops of a 1/10 diluted Fehling’s

solution A.
h) Ninhydrin Test:
This test is given by only amino acids and proteins which contain
free –NH2 groups in their structure. Apply this test for all the proteins
provided.
Precipitation of Proteins:
The precipitation of a protein occurs in a stepwise process. The
addition of a precipitating agent and steady mixing destabilizes the protein
solution. Mixing causes the precipitant and the target product to collide.
Enough mixing time is required for molecules to diffuse accross the fluid.
By Neutral Salts:
The precipitation of a protein by neutral salt is commonly known
as salting-out method. Addition of a neutral salt, such as ammonium sulfate,
compresses the solvation layer and increases the protein-protein interaction.
As the salt concentration of a solution is increased, more of the bulk water
becomes associated with the ions. As a result, less water is available to take
part in the solvation layer around the protein, which exposes hydrophobic
parts on the protein surface. Therefore, proteins can aggregate and form
precipitates from the solution. The amount of neutral salt required to cause
protein precipitation varies with the nature of the protein and the pH of the
solution. Apply this test to all the proteins provided.
Procedure:
Add solid ammonium sulfate to about 5 mL of protein solution in
a test tube (the salt should be added in quantities of approximately 1 g at a
time)
Agitate the solution gently after each addition to dissolve the
ammonium sulfate.
By salts of Heavy Metals:

Heavy metal salts usually contain Hg2+, Pb2+, Ag1+, Tl1+, Cd2+
and other metals with high atomic weights. Since salts are ionic, they disrupt
27
salt bridges in proteins. The reaction of a heavy metal salt with a protein
usually leads to an insoluble metal protein salt. Apply this test to all the
proteins provided.
Procedure:
Treat 3 mL of the protein solution provided with a few drops of
mercuric nitrate.
A white precipitate formation should be observed.
By Acid Reagents:
The precipitation of a protein in the presence of acid reagents is
probably due to the formation of insoluble salts between the acid anions
and the positively charged protein particles. These precipitants are only
effective in acid solutions. Apply this test to all the proteins provided.
Procedure:
Treat 3 mL of protein solution provided with a few drops of
trichloroacetic acid solution.
Note the protein precipitate formed.
28
Table: 6.1 Colour reactions of Proteins

S. no Test Observation Inference
1 Biuret test Violet colour is Indicates
Take 1 ml of albumin formed albumin is
solution and add 1 ml of 5% protein
sodium hydroxide then add 1-
2 drops copper sulphate
solution and mixed well.
2 Ninhydrin test Ruhemann’s Alpha
Take 1 ml of albumin purple colour aminoacids are
solution and add 5-10 drops formed present
of ninhydrin reagent. Heat to
boiling.
3 Heat coagulation test A white cloudy Albumin present
Take 5 ml of albumin precipitate is
solution and heat flame formed
slanting position, add 3 drops
of 1% acetic acid glacial.
4 Half saturation test No white Albumin is not
Take 3 ml of test sample and precipitate is precipitated by
add an equal vol. of saturated seen half saturation as
ammonium sulphate solution it is a low
to make it half saturated. Mix Molecular weight
well and wait for 3 minutes protein. hence,
then filter the sample the biuret test is
positive with the
filtrate.
5. Biuret test with filtrate Violet colour is Albumin is not
Take 2 ml of the filtrate of formed precipitated by
the half-saturation test and half saturation as
add an equal volume of 40% it is a low
sodium hydroxide and 2 Molecular weight
drops of 1% copper sulphate protein. hence,
solution. Mix well the biuret test is
positive with the
filtrate.
29
7. INTRODUCTION OF AMINOACIDS
Amino acids are molecules containing an amine group, a group of

carboxylic acids, and a side chain that varies from one amino acid to
another. In some reactions, amino acids of the general formula
RCH(NH2)COOH are amphoteric, acting as amines and in others as
carboxylic acids. An amino acid has no overall charge at a certain pH,
known as the isoelectric point, as the number of protonated ammonium
groups (positive charges) and deprotonated carboxylate groups (negative
charges) is equal.
For life, amino acids are critical. They have important functions in
particular, such as being the building blocks of proteins and the
intermediates in metabolism.
Amino acids are usually classified into four groups according to the
properties of their side chain. The side chain can make a weak acid or a
weak base of an amino acid, and if the side chain is polar, a hydrophobe or
if it is nonpolar, a hydrophile.
Proteins (also known as polypeptides) are organic compounds
arranged in a linear chain made of amino acids. The peptide bonds between
the carboxyl and amino groups of adjacent amino acid residues are joined
together by the amino acids in a polymer.
Proteins are essential parts of organisms, like other biological
macromolecules such as polysaccharides and nucleic acids, and participate
in virtually every process within cells. In: Proteins are significant in:
-catalyzing biochemical reactions (enzymes)
-structural and mechanical functions (actin and myosin)
-cell signaling
-immune responses
-cell adhesion
-cell cycle
30
8. TESTS ON AMINO ACIDS
Solubility Tests
The solubility of amino acids and proteins is largely dependent on
the pH of the solution. The structural changes that occur at different pH
values in an amino acid or protein change the molecule's relative solubility.
Amino and carboxylic groups are both protonated in acidic solutions. Both
groups are deprotonated in basic solutions.
In water, amino acids are essentially soluble. Depending on the
structure of its side chains, their solubility in water, dilute alkali and dilute
acid varies from one compound to another. Glycine, tyrosine, glutamic acid
and cysteine will be used for this test.
Procedure:
The solubility of amino acids in water and alcohol should be noted
by placing a small quantity in the test tube, adding a few mL of solvent and
if necessary, warming up.
Use the litmus paper to determine whether the amino acid solution
is acidic or basic, while testing the solubility in water.
Using dilute HCl and dilute NaOH, repeat the solubility test.
WARNING: Avoid spilling ninhydrin solutions on your skin because it is
hard to remove the resulting stains.
a) Millon’s Test:
The test by Millon is specific to phenol that contains structures
(tyrosine is the only common phenolic amino acid). Millon's reagent is a
concentrated HNO3 reagent that dissolves mercury. A red precipitate or a
red solution is regarded as a positive test as a consequence of the reaction.
A yellow HgO precipitate is NOT a positive response, but it usually shows
that the solution is too alkaline. This test can be applied to tyrosine,
phenylalanine.
Procedure:
To 2 mL amino acid solution in a test tube, add 1-2 drops of
Millon2s reagent.
Warm the tube in a boiling water bath for 10 min.
A brick red color is a positive reaction.
Note that this is a test for phenols, and the ninhydrin test should also be
31
positive if it is to be concluded that the substance is a phenolic amino acid.

b) Hopkin’s Cole Test:
In the presence of concentrated H2SO4, the indole tryptophan
group reacts with glyoxylic acid (glacial acetic acid, which has been exposed
to light, always contains CHOCOOH glyoxylic acid as an impurity) to give
a purple color. Apply this test to glycine, tyrosine and tryptophan.
Procedure:
To a few mL of glacial acetic acid containing glyoxylic acid, add 1-2
drops of the amino acid solution.
Pour 1-2 mL H2SO4 down the side of the sloping test tube to
form a layer underneath the acetic acid.
The development of a purple color at the interface proves a
positive reaction.
c) Lead-Sulfide Test:
When cystine is boiled with 40 percent NaOH, sodium sulfide is
covered with some sulfur in its structure (Na2S). Using a sodium plumbate
solution that causes the precipitation of PbS from an alkaline solution,
Na2S can be detected. In order to carry out this test, the sodium plumbate
solution must be prepared first. This test is applied to cysteine and cystine.
Procedure:
Sodium Plumbate Solution Preparation:
Add 5 mL dilute NaOH to 2 mL dilute lead acetate.
A white precipitate of lead hydroxide forms.
Boil until the precipitate dissolves with the formation of sodium
plumbate.
Boil 2 mL amino acid solution with a few drops of 40% NaOH for
2 min.
Cool and add a few drops of the sodium plumbate solution.
A brown color or precipitate is a positive test for sulfides.
d) Ehrlich Test:
Aromatic amines and many organic compounds (indole and urea)
provide this test with a color complex. This test is applied to tryptophan,
32
urea and glycine.

Procedure:
Put 0.5 mL of the amino acid solution to a test tube.
Add 2 mL Ehrlich reagent and observe the color changes.
Repeat the test with urea solution.
e) Sakaguchi Test:
To test for a certain amino acid and proteins, the Sakaguchi reagent
is used. The amino acid that this test detects is arginine. As arginine has a
group of guanidine in its side chain, in the presence of an oxidizing agent
such as bromine solution, it gives a red color with alpha-naphthol. Apply
Arginine to this test.
Procedure:
1 mL NaOH and 3 mL arginine solution is mixed and 2 drops of α-
naphthol is added.
Mix thoroughly and add 4-5 drops of bromine solution UNDER
THE HOOD!!
f) Nitroprusside Test:
The nitroprusside test is specific to cysteine, the only sulfhydryl
group amino acid containing cysteine (-SH). In the presence of excess
ammonia, that group reacts with nitroprusside. This test is used for
cysteine, cystine and methionine.
Procedure:
Put 2 mL amino acid solution into the test tube.
Add 0.5 mL nitroprusside solution and shake thoroughly.
Add 0.5 mL ammonium hydroxide.
33
Table 9.1 Colour test for aminoacids and proteins
Test Reactions Responsible Colour formation

Amino acid
Biuret Alkaline Peptide Purple colour
Copper proteins formation
sulphate
Ninhydrin Ninhydrin All Purple
aminoacid,
peptide
proteins
Millon’s test Silver nitrate Tyrosine Brick red colour
with nitrous
acid
Xanthoproteic Boiling with Tyrosine, Yellow in acid which
test Coc. Nitric Tryptophane, turns orange yellow
acid phenualanine
Pauly’s test Daizotized Tyrosine, Red colour
sulphanilic Tryptophan,
acid in Histidine
alkaline
solution
Hopkins cole Glycoxylic Tryptophan Violet ring at interface
test acid in
Conc.
Sulphuric
acid
Sakaguchi test Alpha- Arginine Red
napthol and
sodium
hypochlorite
Lead sulphide Lead acetate Cysteine Black or Black Colour
test and NaOH
34
9. QUALITATIVE TESTS FOR LIPIDS

A large number of heterogenous compounds are referred to as
lipids including fats, steroids, waxes, and related compounds, which are
related more by their physical than their chemical properties.
They have the common property of being:
(1) Relatively insoluble in water
(2) Soluble in polar solvents such as ether and chloroform.
Fatty acids are aliphatic carboxylic acids. If the aliphatic chain
contains no double bond then it is called saturated and if it contains one or
more double bond it is called unsaturated. Most naturally occurring
unsaturated fatty acids have cis-double bonds. Some of the most common
fatty acids are palmitic acid and stearic acid. Palmitic has 16 carbon atoms
and stearic has 18 carbon atoms.
As it is clear from the formulae, both are saturated fatty acids.
Some fatty acids like oleic acid may be unsaturated. Naturally occurring
animal fats consist largely of mixed glyceride of oleic, palmitic and stearic
acids. They are usually mixture of individual fats. Fats have more saturated
fatty acids whereas oils have more of unsaturated ones.
Lipids are simple, complex or derived. Simple lipids are esters of
fatty acids with various alcohols, e.g., fats (esters of fatty acids with glycerol)
and waxes (esters of fatty acids with higher molecular weight of
monohydric alcohols). Complex lipids are esters of fatty acids containing
groups in addition to an alcohol and a fatty acid, e.g., phospholipids or
glycolipids etc. Derived lipids include fatty acids, glycerol, steroids, other
alcohols, fatty aldehydes, and ketone bodies, lipid soluble vitamins, and
hormones.
Phospholipids yield in addition to alcohol and fatty acids,
phosphate and a nitrogenous base like choline, ethanolamine, etc. Lecithin’s
and cephalous are representatives of the phospholipids. Similarly glycolipids
contain carbohydrates, and sulpholipids contain sulphate. Lipoproteins are
combinations of lipids with proteins.
Qualitative Tests:
I. Physical Test:
1. Grease spot test:
Take a small amount of oil on a piece of paper, a greasy spot
35
penetrating the paper will be formed. This happens because lipid does not
wet paper unlike water.
2. Test for free fatty acids:
Take a few drops of phenolphthalein solution in a test tube and
add to it one or two drops of very dilute alkali solution, just sufficient to
give the solution a pink colour. Now add a few drops of the oil and shake.
The colour will disappear as the alkali is neutralized by the free fatty acids
present in the oil.
3. Emulsification:
Oil or liquid fat becomes finely divided and is dispersed in water
when shaken with water to form emulsification. Emulsification is
permanent and complete in the presence of emulsifying agent. The
important emulsifying agents are bile salts, proteins, soaps, mono- and
diglycerides. Emulsification is important in the processes of fat digestion in
the intestine. Emulsifying agents lower surface tension of the liquid.
Take 2 clean and dry test tubes, in one test tube added 2 ml water and in
other 2ml dilute bile salt solution. Now to each tube added 2 drops of
mustard oil and shaken vigorously for about one minute. Allow the tubes to
stands for two minutes and note that the water, oil is broken in small pieces
and floats on the surface; where as in the bile salt solution, the oil can be
seen in minute droplets suspended in the liquid (permanent emulsification).
4. Saponification test:
Esters can be hydrolysed by alkali to yield the parent alcohol and
salt. When the fatty acid possesses a long chain the salt formed is a soap
which we commonly use. This process is called saponification. Oils and fats
usually contain long chain fatty acids and are, therefore, the starting
materials for the preparation of soap.
Take 1 ml of the oil in a test tube and add an equal amount of
alcoholic KOH solution, mix them thoroughly and keep the mixture during
the course of warming and shake up gently with a little distilled water.
Appearance of some oil drops will indicate the incomplete saponification.
After complete saponification no oil drops will appear.
5. Tests for unsaturation of fatty acids:
Unsaturated fatty acids like oleic acid can react with halogens like
bromine and iodine due to presence of double bonds as shown below.
CH3 (CH2)7CH = CH (CH2)7COOH + Br2 → CH3 (CH2)7CHBr-CHBr
36
(CH2)7COOH
The amount of Br2 or I2 taken up will indicate the amount of
unsaturation present in a particular acid. Approximate idea about the
unsaturation in a different oils and fats can be obtained by the following
test. Set up four clean and dry test tubes each containing 5 ml of CCl4.
To the first, add one drop of shark liver oil, to the second, one drop of
coconut oil, to the third, a drop of vegetable ghee and add nothing to the
fourth tube. Now test for the unsaturation of the added oil by adding
bromine water drop by drop to each tube followed by shaking.
Record the number of drops required to obtain a permanent
yellowish red colour in each tube and infer the relative unsaturation in the
three samples used. It may be mentioned here, vegetable ghee is prepared
by hydrogenating vegetable oil. Hydrogenation means saturation of
unsaturated fatty acid by hydrogen.
6. Isolation of free fatty acids from soap:
Take a few ml of 20% H2SO4 in a test tube and gradually add 5 ml
of some soap solution. The fatty acids will separate out in a distinct layer
due to the hydrolysis of the soap.
RCOONa + H2O → RCOOH + NaOH
Cool the solution which will become hot and skim off the surface
layer and wash it several times with water till free from H2SO4. Then
dissolve it in some water and add alkaline phenolphthalein solution and
shake. The pink colour will be discharged indicating the presence of free
fatty acids.
Calcium soap formation:
To a small amount of the soap solution in a test tube add
CaCl2 solution. A white precipitate will be formed. The white precipitate is
due to insoluble calcium salt of fatty acid. This is referred to as calcium
soap.
Lead soap formation:
To a small amount of the soap solution in a test tube add lead
acetate solution, a white precipitate will appear. The white ppt is due to
insoluble lead salt of fatty acids. This is referred to as lead soap.
7. Tests for Glycerol:
I. Acrolein test:
Take pure glycerol in a dry test tube; add to it a few crystals of
37
potassium hydrogen sulphate. Warm gently to mix and then heat strongly.
A very pungent odour of acrolein is produced. Acrolein is formed due to
removal of water from glycerol by potassium hydrogen sulphate.
II. Dichromate Test:
Take in a dry test tube 3 or 4 ml of glycerol solution, to it add a few
drops of 5% potassium dichromate solution and 5 ml of conc. HNO3, mix
well and note that the brown colour is changed to blue. This test is given by
the substances containing primary and secondary alcohol groups. The
chromic ions oxidize the glycerol and in this process they are reduced to
chromous ions which give the blue colour. This test is also given by
reducing sugars, so before confirming glycerol be sure that the reducing
sugars are not present.
Quantitative Tests:
1. Determination of Iodine Number:
The iodine number of a fat is the amount in gm. of iodine taken up
by 100 gm. of fat. Not only iodine but also equivalent amounts of other
halogens will add at double bonds; so bromine is often used instead of
iodine because it is more reactive. The halogenating reagent used in this
method is pyridine sulphate di-bromide. This reagent can be prepared by
adding carefully 8.1 ml pyridine in 20 ml glacial acetic acid and making the
volume up to 1 litre with glacial acetic acid.
Weigh the bottle containing sample of oil plus a medicine dropper
and then transfer about 0.1 to 0.3 gm. of oil to a flask. Reweigh the bottle
containing oil and dropper to find out the exact quantity of the sample
transferred. Add 10 ml of chloroform and then 25 ml of the pyridine
sulphate di-bromide reagent.
Shake thoroughly; allow standing for 5 minutes and then
determining the residual bromine. To do this, add 10 ml of 10% KI and
titrate the equivalent amount of iodine liberated by the residual bromine
with the help of 0.1 (N) Na2S2O3 (sodium thiosulphate). The titration can
be done by adding sodium thiosulphate solution through a burette to the
flask.
When the colour of the solution in flask becomes light yellow add 1 ml of
starch solution. It will become blue. Slowly add the thiosulphate solution
again till it becomes colourless. Note the total volume of thiosulphate used.
The total amount of bromine originally added is found by titrating
38
25 ml of the pyridine sulphate di-bromide reagent with thiosulphate after

adding KI as in the previous case. The amount of bromine taken up by the
fat sample can be determined by the difference between the two titers and
then the iodine number can be calculated.
Suppose with a sample of 0.2 gm. oil the data obtained are as follows:
0.1 (N) Na2S2O3 used for titration of blank = 47.0 ml
0.1 (N) Na2S2O3 used for titration of sample = 27.0 ml
0.1 (N) Na2S2O3 equivalent to iodine absorbed by the sample = 20.0 ml
As 1 ml 0.1 (N) Na2S2O3 = 1.0 ml of 0.1 (N) Bromine = 1 ml of 0.1 (N)
Iodine
Hence, 20 ml of 0.1 (N) Na2S2O3 = 20 ml of 0.1 (N) Iodine =
20×12.7/1000 gm Iodine = 0.254 gm Iodine.
Thus 0.2 gm of oil can take up 0.254 gm of iodine.
Therefore, iodine number of oil used = 127.
Qualitative Test of Cholesterol:
Cholesterol is a lipid with a structure quite different from that of
phospholipids. It is a steroid, built from four linked hydrocarbon rings. A
hydrocarbon tail is linked to the steroid at one end, and a hydroxyl group is
attached at the other end. In membranes, the molecule is oriented parallel
to the fatty acid chains of the phospholipids, and the hydroxyl group
interacts with the nearby phospholipid head groups.
Cholesterol is absent from prokaryotes but is found to varying
degrees in virtually all animal membranes. It constitutes almost 25% of the
membrane lipids in certain nerve cells but is essentially absent from some
intracellular membranes.
The main test for cholesterol is known as Liberman-Burchard test.
This is carried in the following way. In a dry test tube take a small amount
of solution of cholesterol in chloroform. Add 1 ml of acetic anhydride and
1 drop of conc. H2SO4. Mix and observe that a purple colour is formed
which soon changes to green. It may take 15-30 min for full development
and it is advisable to put the tube in dark during this time.
Enzymatic Methods:
Assays have been developed in which cholesterol oxidase obtained
from the bacterium Nocardia erythropolis is used to convert cholesterol
into cholest-4-en-3-one with the formation of Hydrogen peroxide. The
39
cholest-4en-3-one formed has been measured by reading at 240 nm after

extracting into isopropanol. Alternatively, hydrogen peroxide has been
quantified by formation of chelate complex with quadrivalent titanium and
xylenol orange.
Other Tests for Cholesterol:
1. Salkowski’s Test (H2SO4 Test):
Dissolve cholesterol in 2 ml of chloroform in dry test tube. Add
equal amount of con. H2SO4. Shake gently. The upper layer turns red and
the sulphuric acid layer shows a yellow colour with a green fluorescence.
2. Formaldehyde-H2SO4 Test:
Add 2 ml of formaldehyde-sulphuric acid solution (1 part of 40%
formaldehyde to 50 parts of the acid) to 2 ml of chloroform solution in a
dry test tube. The cherry colour is developed in the chloroform. Pour off
the chloroform in another test tube and add 2-3 drops of acid anhydride.
The blue colour develops.
40
10. SAMPLE COLLCETION
Samples may be taken from animals or their environment for the

purpose of disease diagnosis, health monitoring or vaccine response
monitoring. It is imperative on the part of a clinician to collect the most
appropriate material from live or dead animals in order to get a timely and
correct diagnosis of a suspected infectious disease. There may be a great
variety of different combinations of samples and animal species. In order to
collect the most suitable specimen, knowledge of infectious disease
pathogenesis is the single most important factor. It is better to collect
specimens from new cases of the disease in the face of an outbreak where
animals may be seen in different stages of the clinical disease. In all cases in
order to provide a statistically valid result, the samples need to be
appropriate for the purpose required and adequate in number and amount.
To avoid undue stress or damage to the animal or danger to the
operator, samples must be taken with care. For instance, it is not necessary
to open a carcass suspected of being infected with Bacillus anthracis, but a
drop of blood should be obtained from a superficial vein. Aseptic
techniques are generally important to adopt, and care must be taken to
avoid cross-contamination between samples. A number of intestinal
bacteria may invade the host tissues just prior to death and shortly
thereafter.
It must be carefully packaged, labeled and transmitted to the
laboratory using the fastest practicable method after the appropriate
material has been obtained. Relevant shipping laws must be followed. This
laboratory must be consulted in advance to ensure that it is willing to
receive the material if the material is sent to a laboratory in another country.
All samples must be accompanied by a written note indicating the origin of
the material, the historical background and the required tests.
A. Equipment required for collection of samples

(1). Sterile forceps, scissors, and scalpels.
(2). Sterile swabs
(3). Vials for containing transport medium for collection of samples for
isolation or identification
(4). Bottles for collection of faeces, blood, and other samples that do not
41
require transport medium

(5). Bottles containing formalin saline for tissues to be examined
histologically.
(6). Blood collection equipment- without additive for serum, and with
anticoagulant for isolation
(7). Notebook and equipment for labeling specimens
(8). Swabs and transport medium for bacteriological investigation (9). Cool
box (Thermos flask)
(10). Heavy duty plastic bags for postmortem material.
B. COLLECTION OF SAMPLES
1. Tissues (in general):
For the post-mortem examination of the species of animals with
which they work, animal health personnel should be trained in the correct
procedures. The required equipment will depend on the size and species of
the animal, but for the opening of the intestines, a knife, saw and cleaver
will be required, as well as scalpels, forceps and scissors, including scissors
with a rounded tip on one blade.
There must be an abundant supply of containers appropriate to the
nature of the sample required, as well as labels and reporting forms. For
transporting samples from the field, special media may be required.
Protective clothing should be worn by the operator: overalls, rubber gloves
and rubber boots. It is common to detach the animal's head if rabies is
suspected, and the operator should wear a face mask and goggles, gloves,
and a plastic apron.
Tissues may be collected for culture or histopathology and occasionally in
serological tests for use as an antigen. In the post-mortem technique, the
person removing the tissues should be experienced and have sufficient
pathology knowledge to select the right organs and the most promising
lesions for sampling.
Using ordinary instruments, the skin of the dead animal may be
removed, but the body cavities should be opened with sterile instruments,
and a fresh set of sterile instruments should be used to collect the required
pieces of the various organs. Each piece of tissue should be placed in a
separate plastic bag or sterile screw-capped jar, fully labeled with the date,
tissue and identification of the animal. It is necessary to take care not to
42
contaminate one tissue with another. Instruments can be heated with

portable packs of liquid gas on a burner or by lighting a fire using local fuel.
To be sampled for bacterial culture or virus isolation, disinfectants must not
be used on or near tissues.
2. Blood
Blood samples can be taken for haematology or culture purposes
and/or for direct examination of bacteria, viruses, or protozoa, in which
case anti-coagulants such as heparin are added to the blood. They may also
be taken for serology, which requires a clotted sample. A blood sample is
taken through venepuncture, as cleanly as possible.
The jugular vein or caudal vein is chosen in most large mammals,
but brachial veins and mammary veins are also used. A wing vein (brachial
vein) is generally selected in birds. Blood can be taken through a syringe
and needle or through a needle and vacuum tube (not easy in delicate veins
but convenient in strong veins). Ideally, the skin should be shaved (plucked)
and swabbed with 70 percent ethyl alcohol at the venepuncture site first and
allowed to dry.
In order to reduce bacterial growth, whole blood samples can have
antibiotics added, taking care that the antibiotics are chosen to avoid
interference with the growth of the pathogens concerned. Thorough mixing
is required for samples with anti-coagulant and/or antibiotics as soon as the
sample has been taken. A smear of fresh blood on the microscope slide
may also be required.
A smear of fresh blood on the microscope slide may also be
required. Blood should be left to stand at room temperature for serum
samples (but protected from excessive heat) until the clot begins to
contract. With a rod, the clot can then be ringed round and the bottles then
placed at 4o C in a refrigerator. Later, after centrifugation, the serum can be
decanted or removed.
The use of chemical preservatives such as boric acid or merthiolate
in sera in virus neutralization tests should be avoided. An alternative
method is to transport on a filter paper disk a drop of dried blood that
contains sufficient material for sensitive antibody assay systems.
3. Faeces:
It is necessary to select freshly voided faeces and send them with or
43
without a means of transport. Taking swabs from the rectum (or cloaca),
taking care to swab the mucosal surface, is an alternate and sometimes
preferable method. It is also possible to transport swabs either dry or in
transport media. In order to reduce air and prevent hatching of parasite
eggs, Faeces for Parasitology should fill the container.
4. Skin
Samples are taken from the lesions themselves in diseases which
produce vesicular rashes or where the lesions are exclusively in the skin.
Scrapings of the lesion can be taken, and where unruptured vesicles are
present, the vesicular fluid should also be sampled.
5. Genital tract:
Samples may be taken by washing them vaginally or prepucially, or
by using appropriate swabs. The cervix or urethra is also sometimes
sampled through swabbing.
6. Nasal discharge (saliva, tears):

Samples may be taken by soaking cotton swabs that are wetted with
transport medium and sent to the laboratory at 4º C.
8. Milk:
Samples of milk should be taken after cleansing the tip of the teat.
The initial stream of milk is discarded and a tube filled with the next
stream(s). In severe mastitis, there may be little fluid present.
9. Environment:
Samples may be taken to monitor hygiene or as part of a disease
inquiry, for example, from litter, ventilation ducts, feed troughs, drains, soil,
hatcheries and slaughter houses.
10. Serum:
Serum samples are the most commonly collected specimens from
live animals for conducting various serological tests. Generally serum
samples early in the course of disease (acute, within 1-4 days) and during
convalescence (convalescent, around 21 days) are collected. Such samples
44
are called paired serum samples and are used to demonstrate the rising
antibody titre. In comparing the antibody titres of acute and convalescent
phase sera, a minimum four fold rise is considered significant.
C. SELECTION OF SAMPLES
Considerable skill and care are required to decide on the correct
samples to be sent to the laboratory. Frequently a combination of blood
samples for serology and tissues from dead or culled animals for
microbiological culture will be required. Also, it is usually important to
collect tissues for fixation for histology.
D. SAMPLE SIZE
There are some general statistical rules which should be borne in
mind, particularly when sampling herds or flocks for a health surveillance
scheme. It is possible to calculate how many animals must be sampled
from a herd/flock of a certain size, to achieve a 95% probability infection
assumed to be present in a certain percentage of the animals.
E. INFORMATION TO BE SENT WITH SAMPLES

Information and case history should always accompany the samples
to the laboratory, and ideally should be placed in a plastic envelope. The
information should include the following points:
1. Name and address of owner/occupier where disease occurred, with
telephone and fax numbers,
2. Disease suspected,
3. Samples submitted and tests required (transport medium used),
4. Different species on the farm and number, age and sex of each affected
animal,
5. Length of time on the farm; if recent arrival, where from,
6. Date of first cases and of subsequent cases or losses,
7. Description of the spread of infection in the herd or flock,
8. Number of animals dead, the number showing clinical signs, and their
age, sex and breed,
9. The clinical signs and their duration including the condition of mouth,
eyes and feet, and milk or egg production data,
10. Type and standard of husbandry, including the type of feed available,
45
possible contact with poison or poisonous plants,

11. A list of description of the samples submitted for examination, and
post-mortem findings,
12. Any medication already applied to the animals, and when given,
13. Any vaccination already given, and when given,
14. Name and address of sender, with telephone and fax number, and date
of submission.
F. TRANSPORT OF SAMPLES
Samples must be carefully packed, to avoid any possibility of
leakage or cross-contamination. They should be delivered within 48 hours
and must be kept cool during transit. Some samples should not be frozen.
Screw-capped bottles should be used and should be additionally sealed with
adhesive tape or paraffin wax. Samples in individually identified containers
should be placed in larger strong, outer containers and packed with enough
absorbent material to protect from damage. Official shipping regulations
must be consulted. It is advisable to contact the laboratory in advance in the
case of unusual requests. It is essential to do so, where material is sent to a
laboratory in another country. Many countries require a special import
license to be obtained in advance for any biological material, especially for
tissues which could contain animal pathogens. This should accompany the
package and be attached in an envelope to the outside of the parcel.
G. PRESERVATION OF SPECIMENS
Various preservatives are used for different specimens, e.g.
phosphate buffered glycerin for tissues; EDTA, sodium citrate, heparin or
OCG mixture for whole blood and transport media (TPB) for swabs. The
preserved specimens are most frequently transported on ice in a thermos
flask or other suitable containers.
a. Phosphate buffered glycerin (PBG):

It is prepared by mixing equal parts of phosphate buffered saline
and neutral glycerin (pH 7.0).
Phosphate buffered saline (PBS)
Sodium chloride (Nacl) 8.00 g
Pot. chloride(Kcl) 0.20 g
46
Di-Sod. hydrogen phosphate 1.15 g

(Na2 HPO4)
Pot. dihydrogen orthophosphate 0.20 g
(KH2 PO4)
Glass Dist. water 1000 ml.
The final pH of PBG sol. is adjusted between 7.2 to 7.4, before
autoclaving.
b. Oxalate-Carbolic acid-Glycerin (OCG) Mixture:

Potassium oxalate 5.0 g
Phenol (Carbolic acid) 5.0 g
Glycerin 500 ml
Dist. water 500 ml
The pH is adjusted to 7.2 before autoclaving.
c. Tryptose phosphate broth (TPB):

It is used as a transport medium for nasal, eye, rectal swabs etc.
Tryptose (Difco) 20.0 g

Dextrose 2.0 g
Sod. chloride 5.0 g
Di-sod. hydrogen phosphate 2.5 g
Dist. water 1000 ml.
The pH is adjusted to 7.2-7.4 before autoclaving. Antibiotics

(Penicillin, Streptomycin, Mycostatin) are added before collection of swabs
to check bacterial contamination.
47
11. ANTICOAGULANTS
Anticoagulants are medicines that prevent the blood from clotting

as quickly or as effectively as normal. Some people call anticoagulants blood
thinners. However, the blood is not actually made any thinner - it just does
not clot so easily whilst you take an anticoagulant.
Anticoagulants are used to treat and prevent blood clots that may
occur in your blood vessels. Blood clots can block blood vessels (an artery
or a vein). A blocked artery stops blood and oxygen from getting to a part
of your body (for example, to a part of the heart, brain or lungs). The tissue
supplied by a blocked artery becomes damaged or dies, and this results in
serious problems such as a stroke or heart attack. A blood clot in a large
vein, such as a clot in a leg vein - a deep vein thrombosis (DVT), can lead
to serious problems. For example, it can lead to a clot that travels from a
leg vein to the lungs (a pulmonary embolism). Anticoagulants are used to
prevent blood clots as well - the most common condition for this is atrial
fibrillation (AF).
EDTA
Salt of ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid. Dipotassium (K2),
tripotassium (K3) (41) and disodium (Na2) salts are used; concentrations:
1.2 to 2.0 mg/mL blood (4.1 to 6.8 mmol/L blood) based on anhydrous
EDTA
Citrate
Trisodium citrate with 0.100 to 0.136 mol/L citric acid. Buffered
citrate with pH 5.5 to 5.6: 84 mmol/L tris odium citrate with 21 mmol/L
citric acid. Differences were noticed between 3.2% and 3.8% (v/v) citrate
when reporting results in INR (1, 145, 192, 210). WHO and NCCLS
recommend 0.109 mol/L (3.2%) citric acid. The International Society for
Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) recommends the use of Hepes
buffered citrate for all investigations of haemostastic functions.
a. A mixture of one part citrate with nine parts blood is
recommended for coagulation tests.
b. One part citrate mixed with four parts blood is recommended to
48
determine the erythrocyte sedimentation rate.

Heparinates
12 to 30 IU/mL of unfractionated sodium, lithium or ammonium
salt of heparin with a molecular mass of 3 to 30 kD is recommended to
obtain standardized heparinized plasma.
Calcium-titrated heparin at a concentration of 40 to 60 IU/mL blood (dry
heparinisation) and 8 to 12 IU/mL blood (liquid heparinisation) is
recommended for the determination of ionized calc ium
Hirudin
Hirudin is an antithrombin extracted from leeches or prepared by a
genetic engineering process. Hirudin inhibits thrombin by forming a 1:1
hirudin-thrombin complex. Hirudin is used at a concentration of 10 mg/L
. The colour codes of anticoagulants described in ISO/DIS 6710 are:
EDTA = lavender/red; citrate 9 + 1 = light blue/green;
citrate 4 + 1 = black/mauve;
heparinate = green/orange;
no additives (for serum) = red/white (86).
Sodium Citrate
Citrate is used as trisodium citrate salt.
It is a white hygroscopic crystalline powder.
Purpose:
Sodium citrate is widely used for coagulation studies.
For PT and PTT.
The sample can be used for ESR by the Westergren method.
Mechanism of action:
it is used in solution form.
This will chelate calcium. Inactivates Ca++ ions.
This will prevent the rapid deterioration of labile coagulation
factors like factor V and factor VII.
Sodium citrate mechanism as an anticoagulant
Solution preparation and uses:

Trisodium citrate= 3.2 to 3.8 g/dL (3.2% solution).
Mix well Trisodium citrate 3.8 grams in distle water.
49
This can be used as 0.109 mg/mL.

In blood, its ratio is 1:9 where 9 parts are blood and 1 part is sodium citrate.
PT and PTT= Blood: Sodium citrate = 9: 1 part (blood 9 parts: sodium
citrate 1 part)
ESR = Blood: Sodium citrate = 4:1 (1.6 mL of blood: o.4 mL Sodium
citrate).
Potassium Oxalate
This may be sodium, potassium, ammonium, or lithium oxalic acid
salt used as an anticoagulant.
This form insoluble complex with calcium ions (precipitate with calcium as
a salt).
Potassium oxalate mechanism as an anticoagulant
This is the most popular oxalate salt used as an anticoagulant in

powder form.
Solution:
Potassium oxalate at a concentration of 1 to 2 mg/mL of blood is
used.
Mix 30 grams/dL in distal watr.
Now add a few drops in the test tube side and dry it in the oven
below 100 °C.
The combination of ammonium/potassium oxalate does not lead
to shrinkage of the RBCs.
While other oxalates cause shrinkage.
Sodium Fluoride
This is a weak anticoagulant but used an antiglycolytic agent to
preserve the glucose.
This inhibits the system involved in glycolysis and preserve the
glucose.
This can be used as a dry additive.
Mechanism of action: It acts in two ways:
As an anticoagulant by binding the calcium.
As an enzyme inhibitor which prevents the glycolytic enzyme to destroy the
glucose.
50
Sodium fluoride mechanism as an anticoagulant

Solution:
This is effective at a concentration of 2 mg/mL of blood along
with another anticoagulant like potassium oxalate.
When used alone then more concentration than 2 mg/mL is
needed.
This can be used in combination with oxalate as a fluoride-oxalate
mixture.
Most specimens are preserved at 25 °C for 24 hours and at 4 °C for
48 hours.
Sodium fluoride is poorly soluble so mix blood thoroughly before
effective anti-glycolysis occurs. This is mostly used for glucose estimation.
Sodium Iodoacetate
This is also an antiglycolytic agent at a concentration of 2 g/L.
This may be substituted for sodium fluoride.
This has no effect on urease.
Drawback:
It inhibits creatine kinase.
Adverse effects of the additives:
The additive may contain the substance to be tested like Na+oxalate for the
51
estimation of Na+.
The additive may remove the component to be tested like in oxalate,
removes the calcium.
The additive may affect enzymes like Na+flouride. This may destroy many
enzymes.
A small amount of the anticoagulant gives rise to microclots and
this will interfere with cell count.
The additive may distort the cells like oxalate will change the cell
morphology like RBCs and these will become crenated. While WBCs show
vacuoles. Lymphocytes and monocytes will have distorted shapes.
If the excess quantity is used that will dilute the substance to be tested.
52
12. TYPE OF COLLECTION PROCEDURES
Capillary blood (skin puncture)

This is good for a small quantity of blood. Warm the finger taking
the blood sample.
In the newborn, under 3 months the heel is the best site to get a
small quantity of blood.
The depth should not be >2.4 mm on the heel.
Avoid the central portion and back of the heel.
Venous blood (venipuncture):

For larger quantities, venous blood will be taken.
The blood sample is taken from the forearm, wrist, or ankle veins.
A forearm site is preferred. Blood is taken directly from the vein, called
phlebotomy.
The median cubital vein is usually preferred.
Mostly venous blood is drawn in the fasting state.
Blood collected after the meal is called a postprandial sample.
There are biological variables in the blood collection like:
Patient lying in the bed or standing up.
After the exercise.
Diurnal variations.
Recent food intake.
Recent intake of Tea/coffee (caffeine), smoking (nicotine), alcohol
ingestion, and administration of the drugs.
Various Blood Samples:

Whole Blood
This blood sample obtained in the test tube containing an
anticoagulant.
This sample will contain cells (white blood cells, platelets, RBCs, proteins)
and plasma.
Plasma
This is a pale yellow liquid which contains RBCs, white cells, and
platelets. Plasma forms with the help of anticoagulants which will prevent
the clotting.
53
There is the presence of fibrinogen in the plasma.

Serum
This is a clear fluid that is separated from the clotted blood. There
are no RBCs, white cells, or platelets. There is no need for anticoagulants.
Clotted blood is kept at 37 C for at least 20 minutes and then
centrifuged.
The upper portion is called serum.
There is no fibrinogen. serum and plasma difference
54
13. PROXIMATE ANALYSIS

Moisture
One gram sample of samples were taken in a Petri dish. The weight
of petridish with sample was taken. Then it was placed in the oven at 60ºC
for 12 hours or until it is dried. The dried samples were transferred to
desiccators for minutes and weighted. The samples were again kept in oven
for one to two hours until constant weight (W2) was obtained. The loss in
weight was recorded as moisture.
W1-W2
Moisture (%) =---------------- X 100
W3
Where,
W1 = weight of Petri dish + sample before drying;
W2 = weight of Petri dish + sample after drying;
W3 = weight of the sample.
Total ash
The total ash was determined by burning 2g of feed in a pre-
weighed China dish and then samples were placed in a muffle furnace for
ignition at 550 – 600°C till residue was obtained after 4 – 5 hours. Then the
sample residue were placed in desiccators to cool and weight was recorded.
Percentage of ash was obtained by using the following formula:
Wt. of ash
Total ash (%) = ---------------------------× 100
Wt. of feed
Dry matter
Dry matter content was determined by difference between fresh
weight of sample and moisture content. The crude protein, crude lipid,
crude fibre, nitrogen free extract (NFE), ash contents were calculated on %
dry matter basis. Dry matter percentage was calculated by the following.
Dry matter (%) = 100 - moisture (%)
Nitrogen free Extract

The nitrogen free extract
NFE = 100-(% crude protein + % of crude lipid + % of moisture
+ % ash).
55
14. ESTIMATION OF REDUCING SUGAR BY

BENEDICT’S METHOD
Principle
Benedict’s quantitative reagent is a modification of qualitative. It
contains copper sulphate, sodium acetate and sodium corbonate. It also
contains potassium thio cyanate and small amount of potassium
ferricyanide. The inclusion of acetate prevents the precipitation of copper
carbonate by chelating Cu3+ion. The thiocyanate causes the precipitation of
white cuprous thio cyanate rather than red cupric oxide. On reduction of
Cu3+ ions which enables the end point of the titration ie., the transition
from blue to white to be readily observable. Methylene blue will be used as
an additional indicator. The small amount of potassium ferricyanide
prevents the re-oxidation of copper. A non-stoicheometric reaction is on
which does not follow a defined pathway and cannot be described by an
equation either quantitatively or qualitatively. The reduction of Cu3+ ions by
sugar is a non-stoicheometric equation and is only constant over a small
range of sugar concentration. To obtain accurate results the volume of
sugar added must be with in 6- 12 ml for 10 ml of benedict’s reagent. If the
preliminary titre value Falls outside this range the sugar solution must be
titrations are repeated.
Reagents Required:
Standard Glucose Solution:
200 mg of glucose was weighed accurately and made upto 100 ml
with distilled water (concentration: 2 mg / ml)
Benedict’s Quantitative Reagent

100 ml of solution acetate, 37.5 g of sodium carbonate and 62.5 g of
potassium thiocyanate were dissolved in 300 ml of distilled water by
warming gently and filtered. 9 g of copper sulphate is dissolved in 50 ml of
water, added with continuous stirring. 2.5 ml of potassium ferricyanide is
added and the volume is made upto 500 ml with water.
Anhydrous Sodium Carbonate

Procedure
100 ml of benedict’s reagent was pipetted out into a clean conical
flask. About 600 mg of anhydrous sodium carbonate was added to
56
provide the required allcaling with A few porcelain bits and heated to
boiling over a moderate flame.
The standard glucose solution is taken in the burette when the
benedict’s solution Boils, glucose solution is added drop by drop (one
drop per second) till the last trace of blue colour disappears. The volume
of glucose rundown is noted and the titrations are repeated for concordant
value.
The given unknown sugar solution was made upto 100 ml in a
standard flask with distilled water. Then the burette was filled with
unknown sugar solution and the benedict’s reagent was titrated as before.
The volume of sugar solution rundown was noted and titrations are
repeated for concordant values.
Estimation Of Reducing Sugar By Benedict’s Method

Titration 1
Standardisation Of Benedict’s Reagent Benedict’s Reagent Vs
Standard Glucose Solution
S.No Volume of Burette Readings Volume of Indicator
Benedict’s Intial Final standard
reagents(ml) ml ml glucose(ml)
Self
TITRATION 2:
Estimation Of Glucose Standardised Benedict’s Reagent Vs Unknown
Glucose
S.No Volume of Burette Readings Volume of Indicator
Benedict’s Intial Final unknown
reagents(ml) ml ml glucose(ml)
Self
57
Calculation:
The standard glucose solution 2 mg / ml

5 ml of Benedict’s solution react with…………..ml of the standard glucose
solution.
……….ml of standard glucose solution which contains x 2 = mg

5 ml of Benedict’s solution reacts with……..
mg of unknown glucose 100 ml of unknown glucose contains is
100 x……..
Result:
The amount of glucose present in 100 ml of given unknown
solution is………..
58
15. ESTIMATION OF PROTEIN BY LOWREY’S

METHOD
Principle:
Protein in the given solution when treated with alkaline copper
sulphate and Folin’s phenol reagent produces a blue colored complex. The
intensity of the colour is directly proportional to the concentration of
protein present in the given sample solution.
Reagents Required
Stock Solution:
Bovine serum albumin of 100mg is weighed accurately and
dissolved in 100ml of distilled water in a standard flask.
(Concentration:1mg/ml)
Working Standard:
The stock solution of 10ml is diluted to 100ml with distilled water
in a standard flask. (Concentration:100mg.ml)
Folin;s Phenol Reagent:
Folin’s phenol reagent is mixed with distilled water in a the ratio
1:2
Alkaline CuS04 Reagent: Solution A:
Sodium carbonate of 2% in 0.1N sodium hydroxide.
Solution B: Sodium Potassium tartrate of 1%
Solution C: Copper sulphate of 0.5%
Solutions A, B, C are mixed in the proportion of 50:1:0.5
Unknown Preparation:
The given protein is made upto 100ml with distilled water.
Procedure:
Working standard of 0.2 to 1.0ml is pipetted out into clean test
tubes labelled as S1, to S5 . Test solution of 0.2 and 0.4 ml is taken in test
tubes labelled as T1 and T2. The volume is made upto 1.0ml with distilled
water. Distilled water of 1.0ml serves as blank. To all the test tubes 4.5 ml
of alkaline copper sulphate reagent is added and it is incubated at room
temperature for 10 minutes. To all the test tubes 0.5ml of Folin’s Phenol
reagent is added. The contents are mixed well and the blue colour
developed is read at 640nm after 15 minutes. From the standard graph the
amount of protein in the given unknown solution is calculated.
59
Estimation of Protein by Lowrey’s Method
S.No Reagents B S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 T1 T2
1 Volume of working - 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 - -
standard (ml)
2 Concentration of working - 20 40 60 80 100 - -
standard (mg)
3 Volume of unknown - - - - - - 0.2 0.4
solution (ml)
4 Volume of distilled water 1.0 0.8 0.6 0.4 0.2 - 0.8 0.6
(ml)
5 Volume of alkaline 4.5 4.5 4.5 4.5 4.5 4.5 4.5 4.5
copper reagent (ml)
6 Volume of Folin’s phenol 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5
reagent
The contents are mixed well and kept at room temperature for 10 minutes. The
blue colour developed is read at 640nm
7 Optical density 640nm
Calculation:
………of unknown solution corresponds to……..xOD
OD corresponds of ……….. mg of protein
i.e. 0.2ml of unknown solution contains ……….of protein 100ml of
unknown solution contains
100 x ----
Result:
The amount of protein present in the given solution is…………
60
16. ESTIMATION OF CHOLESTEROL BY ZAK’S

METHOD
To estimate the amount of cholesterol in an unknown food sample.

Principle:
Cholesterol in glacial acetic acid gives a red colour with ferric
chloride and apolar sulphuric acid. This reaction has been employed by
ZAK’S to estimate the cholesterol in an unknown food sample.
Reagents Required:
Stock Standard Solution :
About 100 mg of cholesterol was dissolved and made up to 100 ml
with glacial acetic acid (concentration 1 mg / ml).
Working Standard :
About 4 ml of stock solution was made up to 100 ml with ferric
chloride acetic acid reagent (concentration in 40 mg / ml).
Ferric chloride of 0.05% in acetic acid.
Apolar sulphuric acid.
Glacial acetic acid.
Preparation of unknown sample:
20 ml of sample and 40 ml of chloroform was added and
centrifuged. The supernatant was used for estimation.
Procedure:
0.5 ml to 2.5 ml of working standard were Pipetted out into a clean
test tubes. About of 0.5 ml and 1 ml of unknown food sample supernatant
was taken in a test tubes. The volume was made upto 5.0 ml with ferric
chloride and 3.0 ml of concentrated sulphuric acid were added. The test
tubes were kept at room temperature for 15 minutes. The pinkish red
colour formed was measured at 540 nm. Standard graph was drawn for the
values obtained. From the standard graph the amount of cholesterol
present in the food sample can be calculated.
61
Estimation of Cholesterol by Zak’s Method
S.N Reagents B S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 T1 T2
o
1. Volume of standard _ 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 _ _
chloresterol
(ml)
2. Concentration of cholesterol _ 20 40 60 80 100 _ _
(mg)
3. Volume of sample _ _ _ _ _ _ 1 1
supernatant (ml)
4. Volume of 0.05% ferric 5 4.5 4 3.5 3 2.5 _ _
chloride
acetic acid reagent (ml)
5. Volume of cone sulphuric acid 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
(ml)
Incubated the tubes for 15 minutes at
room temperature
6. O.D at 540 nm
Calculations
0.5 ml of standard corresponds to O.D 0.03 O.D corresponds to……..mg.

0.5 ml of unknown corresponds 100 ml of unknown corresponds to………..
100x………..
Result:
The amount of cholesterol present in unknown food sample was
found to be……………….
62
17. ESTIMATION OF DNA BY DIPHENYLAMINE

METHOD
Principle:
The deoxyribose of DNA in the presence of acid forms hydroxyl
levolinic aldehyde which reacts with diphenylamine to give a blue colour.
But only the deoxy ribose of purine nucleotide react.
Reagents required:
Stock standard solution: Weighed 100 mg of DNA and dissolved in 100 ml
of distilled water.
Working standard solution: 10 ml of stock was diluted to 100 ml using
distilled water.
Diphenyl amine reagent:
It should be prepared freshly by dissolving 1 gm of diphenyl amine
in 100 ml of glacial acetic acid and by adding 2.5 ml of concentrated
sulphuric acid.
Procedure:
Pipetted out 0.2 ml – 1.0 ml of DNA solution into a series of test
tubes and made up the volume to 3.0 ml with distilled water. 0.2 ml and 0.4
ml of unknown is taken and made upto 3.0 ml with water. Added 5.0 ml of
disphenylamine reagent, mixed well and is heated in a boiling water bath for
10 minutes. Cooled and the colour developed is read at 595 nm.
Calculations
0.2 ml of unknown corresponds to 0.02 O.D

---O.D corresponds to ----
0.2 ml of unknown corresponds to ----
100 ml of unknown corresponds to = 100x………..
Results:
The amount of DNA present in 100 ml of given unknown solution
is……………
63
Estimation of Dna by Diphenylamine Method
S.No Contents B S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 U1 U2
1. Volume of working - 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 - -

standard in (m1)
2. Concentration in g - 20 40 60 80 100 - -
3. Volume of unknown - - - - - - 0.2 0.4

in (m1)
4. Volume of distilled 3 2.8 2.6 2.4 2.2 2.0 2.8 2.6
water in
(ml)
5. Volume of diphenyl 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5
amine reagent in (ml)
Heated in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes
6. Optical density at
595 mm
64
18. SEPARATION OF AMINO ACIDS BY THIN

LAYER CHROMATOGRAPHY
Principle:
Chromatography is a method by which a mixture of substances in
smaller quantities can be separated both qualitatively and quantitatively. In
chromatography there are twophases-the stationary phase and other mobile
phase. When the mobile phase moves along stationary phase, separation of
substances takes place. In thin layer chromatography, the thin layer of gel
functions as an inert supporting material. When the mobile phase moves
along the gel solvent, as the partition coefficient differ for different sugars,
the rate of flow differs and therefore separation occurs.
Materials Required:
Silica gel G 2.Microscopic slides 3.n-butanol
Acetic acid
Spraying reagent (0.3% solution of Ninhydrin in butanol containing
3 ml acetic acid)
Amino acids
Procedure:
A slurry of silicagel G is prepared in 0.02M sodium acetate buffer.
Taken the microscopic slides and keeping them flat, pipetted out about 1-2
ml of the slurry into them. By tilting the slides spread the slurry evenly on
the surface. Lining the edges with Vaseline will be of help. Allowed the
slides to dry completely leaving them flat. 5l samples of amino acid (or
mixture) are spotted and the slide is then dipped in a trough containing n-
butanol-acetic acid-water in the ration 8:2:2. The slide must be handled with
care not to break the surface. After development, that is, when the solvent
has reached the top, the slide is dried and sprayed with the developing
reagent. The slide is then heated in an oven at 1100 C for 10 minutes and
Rf values of the spots are measured.
Distance moved by solute
Rf =-------------------------------------------
Distance moved by solvent
Result:
The given sample Rf value is ……………………
65
19. SEPARATION OF SUGARS BY PAPER

CHROMATOGRAPHY
Principle:
Chromatography is a method by which a mixture of substances in
smaller quantities can be separated both qualitatively and quantitatively. In
chromatography there are two pahses the stationary phase and other mobile
phase. When the mobile phase moves along stationary phase, separation of
substances takes place. In paper chromatography the paper functions as an
inert supporting material. When the mobile phase moves along the paper
solvent, As the partition coefficient differ for different sugars the rate of
flow differs and therfore separation occurs.
Materials Required:
Whatmann No :1 filter paper 2.N-butanol
Glacial acetic acid 4.Sugars
Spraying reagent-Alkaline permanganate spraying agent 0.1%
KmnO4 in 2% sodium carbonate
Procedure:
3 strips of whatman No 1 filter paper of size 122 cm are cut. A
line is drawn at a distance of 2.5 cm from the base and a pencil mark made
at the mid point. Sugar solutions of glucose and fructose at a concentration
of 100 mg/10ml is prepared. The chromatography paper is placed on a box
having a slit with lighting arrangment underneath the slit. Spotting is done
on the paper using a micropipette. Care is taken to see that the spot does
not spread beyond a particular diameter. 10ml each glucose and fructose are
spotted on a paper A and B. To the strips a mixture is applied. The three
strips are placed in three different boiling tubes each containing 5ml of n-
butanol acetic acid, water in the ration 4:2:1. The boiling tubes are plugged
with cotton, The paper are kept in a a pre-saturated chromatographic
chamber and the solvent is allowed to rise. When the solvent front has
reached three fours of the paper the strips are removed and air dried. It is
then sprayed with the spraying agent and dried in hot air oven at 1000C.
The sugars appeared as yellow spots in a purple background. The
distances travelled by the solvent are mesured. The distance from the base
line to the centre of each spot are measured, Rf values is then calculated as
66
follows.
Distance moved by solute

Rf =-------------------------------------------
Distance moved by solvent
Result:
The given sample Rf value is ……………………
67
20. ESTIMATION OF CSF SUGAR BY TRINDERS

METHOD (GLUCOSE OXIDASE PEROXIDASE
METHOD)
Principle
Glucose in the presence of atmospheric oxygen is completely
oxidised by enzyme glucose –oxidase to gluconic acid & hydrogen peroxide.
The hydrogen peroxide formed is broken down by peroxidase enzyme to
water & oxygen. The latter oxidizes phenol which combines with amino -4-
antipyrine to give a red coloured complex quinonimine The intensity of red
colour is proportional to the concentration of glucose in the sample and the
intensity of colour is measured colorimetrically at 520 nm using green filter
Enzyme reagent
Consisted of amino 4 antipyrine (0.125 m mol /L) glucose (30000
m/l ) Peroxidase (10000 m/1) & phosphate butter (100 m mol /L)
Phenol (16 m mol /l)
Standard glucose (5.55 m mol /L )
Preparation of working enzyme reagent
The enzyme reagent was prepared in 500 ml distilled water to
which 5 ml of phenol reagent was added. It was mixed gently & used after 3
hours.
Procedure
Three clean dry test tubes were marked as T for test S for standard
& B for blank & following solutions were added in ml in given order.
Reagent Test (ml) Standard (ml) Blank (ml)

CSF Reagent 0.02 - -
DIW - 0.02 -
Working Reagent 3.0 3.0 3.0
All the contents of the test tubes were mixed & were incubated for
15 minutes at 37 0C. After incubation 2 ml DW was added, mixed well &
O.D of test & standard were measured against blank using green filter
(520nm).
Result:
The total CSF sugar is present in the given sample …………
68
21. ESTIMATION OF RNA BY ORCINOL REACTION
Principle:
This is a general reaction for pentoses and depends on the
formation of furfural when the pentose is heated with concentrated
hydrochloric acid. Orcinol reacts with the furfural in the presence of ferric
chloride as a catalyst to give a green colour, which can be measured at 665
nm.
Requirements:
Standard RNA solution- 200µg/ml in 1 N perchloric acid/buffered
saline.
Orcinol Reagent- Dissolve 0.1g of ferric chloride in 100 ml of
concentrated HCl and add 3.5 ml of 6% w/v orcinol in alcohol.
Buffered Saline- 0.5 mol/litre NaCl; 0.015 mol/litre sodium citrate,
pH 7.
Procedure:
Pipette out 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1 ml of working standard in to
the series of labeled test tubes.
Pipette out 1 ml of the given sample in another test tube.
Make up the volume to 1 ml in all the test tubes. A tube with 1 ml of
distilled water serves as the blank.
Now add 2 ml of orcinol reagent to all the test tubes including the
test tubes labeled 'blank' and 'unknown'.
Mix the contents of the tubes by vortexing / shaking the tubes and
heat on a boiling water bath for 20 min.
Then cool the contents and record the absorbance at 665 nm
against blank.
Then plot the standard curve by taking concentration of RNA
along X-axis and absorbance at 665 nm along Y-axis.
Then from this standard curve calculate the concentration of RNA
in the given sample.
Result:
The given unknown sample contains ----------µg RNA/ml.
69
S.No Volume of Volume of Conc. of Vol.

Standard distilled RNA of OD
(200 µg/ml) water (µg) Orcinol 665 nm
RNA Reagent
(ml)
1. 0.0 1.0 0 2
2. 0.2 0.8 40 2
3. 0.4 0.6 80 2 Incuate

in
4. 0.6 0.4 120 2 boiling
water
5. 0.8 0.2 160 2 bath
for
20 min &
6 1.0 0.0 200 2
Cool
7 Test 1.0 ml 0.0 To be 2

estimate
d
70
22. DETERMINATION OF REDUCING SUGARS BY

NELSON-SOMOGYI METHOD
Principle
The reducing sugars when heated with alkaline copper tartrate
reduce the copper from the cupric to cuprous state and thus cuprous oxide
is formed. When cuprous oxide is treated with arsenomolybdic acid, the
reduction of molybdic acid to molybdenum blue takes place. The blue color
developed is compared with a set of standards in a colorimeter at 620nm.
Materials
Alkaline Copper tartrate
(A) Dissolve 2.54g anhydrous sodium carbonate, 2g sodium
bicarbonate, 2.5g potassium sodium tartrate and 20g anhydrous sodium
sulphate in 80mL water and make up to 100mL.
(B) Dissolve 15g copper sulphate in a small volume of distilled
water. Add one drop of sulphuric acid and make up to 100mL. Mix 4mL of
B and 96mL of solution A befire use.
Arsenomolybdate Reagent: Dissolve 2.5g ammonium molybdate in
45mL water. Add 2.5mL sulphuric acid and mix well. Then add 0.3g
disodium hydrogen arsenate dissolved in 25mL water. Mix well and
incubate at 37°C for 24 to 48 hours.
Standard Glucose Solution: Stock: 100mg in 100mL distilled water.
Working Standard: 10mL of stock diluted to 100mL with distilled water
[100mg/mL].
Procedure
Weigh 100mg of the sample and extract the sugars with the hot
80% ethanol twice (5mL each time)
Collect the supernatant and evaporate it by keeping it on a water
bath at 80°C.
Add 10mL water and dissolve the sugars.
Pipette out aliquots of 0.1 or 0.2mL to separate test tubes.
Pipette out 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1mL of the working standard
solution into a series of test tubes.
Make up the volume in both standard and samp-le tubes to 2mL
with distilled water.
71
Pipette out 2mL distilled water in a separate tuibe to set a blank.

Add 1mL of alkaline copper tartrate reagent to each tube.
Place the tubes in a boiling waterfor 10 minutes.
Cool the tubes and add 1mL of arsenomolybolic acid reagent to all
the tubes.
Calculate
Absorbance corresponds to 0.1mL of test = ‘x’ mg of glucose
10mL contains = (‘x’ ÷ 0.1) × 10mg of glucose = % of reducing sugars
72
23. EFFECT OF DIFFERENT TEMPERATURES ON THE

ACTIVITY OF SALIVARY AMYLASE ON STARCH
Principle
All enzymes are proteinaceous in nature. At a lower temperature,
the enzyme salivary amylase is deactivated and at the higher temperature,
the enzyme is denaturated. Therefore, more time will be taken by an
enzyme to digest the starch at lower and higher temperatures. Optimum
temperature for the enzymatic activity of salivary amylase ranges from 32
°C to 37 °C. The optimum temperature means that the temperature at
which the enzyme shows the maximum activity. At this optimum
temperature, the enzyme is most active and hence, takes less time to digest
the starch.
Materials Required
Three series of test tubes having iodine solution in each, test tubes,
ice cubes, water,
15 ml 1% starch solution + 3 ml 1% NaCl,
saliva solution, droppers, thermometer, Bunsen burner and wire
gauze.
Procedure
Take beaker containing 15 ml of 1% starch solution + 3 ml of 1%
NaCl solution.
Divide and pour this solution into three test tubes and mark them
as A, B and C.
Maintain the temperature of the beaker containing ice cubes at 5°C.
Take beaker containing ice cubes and keep it on the table.
Take another two beakers containing water and heat over the
Bunsen burner.
Now transfer experimental tube A into a beaker containing ice.
Transfer the second experimental tube B into water bath set at
37°C and third experimental tube C into the beaker maintained at 50°C.
Using a dropper, take 1 ml saliva solution and transfer the solution
into test tube A.
Similarly, add 1 ml saliva solution into test tube B and test tube C.
Immediately, using a dropper, take few drops from experimental
tube A and transfer this into first series of test tubes having iodine solution.
73
Similarly, using fresh droppers, do the same procedure for test tube
B and test tube C and transfer the solution into second and third series of
test tubes having iodine solution.
Note this time as zero minute reading.
After an interval of 2 minutes, again take a few drops from each
tube and add to the iodine tubes and note the change in colour of iodine.
Keep on repeating the experiment at an interval of every 2 minutes
till colour of iodine does not change.
Results
It takes less time to reach achromic point at 37°C, as the enzyme is
maximum active at this temperature, while at higher and lower temperatures
more time is taken to reach the achromic point.
74
24. EFFECT OF DIFFERENT PH ON THE ACTIVITY OF

SALIVARY AMYLASE ON STARCH
Principle
The optimum pH for the enzymatic activity of salivary amylase
ranges from 6 to 7. Above and below this range, the reaction rate reduces as
enzymes get denaturated. The enzyme salivary amylase is most active at pH
6.8. Our stomach has high level of acidity which causes the salivary amylase
to denature and change its shape. So the salivary amylase does not function
once it enters the stomach.
Materials Required
Three series of test tubes having iodine solution
test tubes, pH tablets of 5, 6.8 and 8,
15 ml 1% starch solution + 3 ml 1% NaCl,
saliva solution, droppers, Bunsen burner and wire gauze.
Procedure
Take a beaker containing 15 ml of 1% starch solution + 3 ml of
1% NaCl solution.
Divide and pour this solution into three test tubes and mark them as A,
B and C.
Add pH tablet 5 into test tube A, pH tablet 6.8 into test tube B and pH
tablet 8 into test tube C.
Now transfer experimental tube A, B and C into a beaker containing
water and a thermometer for recording temperature. Temperature of this
beaker is to be maintained at 37°C.
Using a dropper, take 3 ml saliva solution and add 1 ml of solution to
each of the three test tubes.
Immediately using a dropper, take few drops from experimental tube A
and transfer this into the first series of test tubes having iodine solution.
Similarly, do the same procedure for test tube B and test tube C and
transfer the solution into second and third series of test tubes having iodine
solution.
Note this time as zero minute reading.
75
After an interval of 2 minutes, again take a drop from each tube and
add to the iodine tubes and note the change in colour of iodine.
Keep on repeating the experiment at an interval of every 2 minutes till
colour of iodine does not change.
Results
pH 5 is acidic and pH 8 is alkaline, therefore salivary amylase did
not act in these tubes. Whereas, the enzyme acted in the tube with pH 6.8
(i.e., slightly acidic) and digested the starch.
76
25. ESTIMATION OF HAEMOGLOBIN BY SAHLI’S/ACID

HEMATIN METHOD
Principle:
Blood is mixed with N/10 HCl resulting in the conversion of Hb
to acid hematin which is brown in color. The solution is diluted till it’s color
matches with the brown colored glass of the comparator box. The
concentration of Hb is read directly.
Equipment required
Hemocytometer which consists of z comparator box which has
brown colored glass on either side
Hb pipette which is marked upto 20mm3(0.02ml blood) z Tube
with markings of Hb on one side z glass rod
Dropper
Reagents required
N/10 HCl Distilled water Sample:
Venous blood collected in EDTA
Procedure
1. Add N/10 HCl into the tube upto mark 2g%
2. Mix the EDTA sample by gentle inversion and fill the pipette with
0.02ml blood. Wipe the external surface of the pipette to remove any excess
blood.
3. Add the blood into the tube containing HCl. Wash out the contents of
the pipette by drawing in and blowing out the acid two to three times. Mix
the blood with the acid thoroughly.
4. Allow to stand undisturbed for 10min.
5. Place the hemoglobinometer tube in the comparator and add distilled
water to the solution drop by drop stirring with the glass rod till it’s color
matches with that of the comparator glass. While matching the color, the
glass rod must be removed from the solution and held vertically in the tube.
6. Remove the stirrer and take the reading directly by noting the height of
the diluted acid hematin and express in g%.
77
26. ESTIMATION OF HAEMOGLOBIN BY

CYANMETHEMOGLOBIN METHOD
Principle:
Blood is diluted in a solution containing potassium cyanide and

potassium ferricyanide. The latter converts Hb to methemoglobin which is
converted to cyanmethemoglobin (HiCN) by potassium cyanide. The
absorbance of the solution is then measured in a spectrophotometer at a
wavelength of 540nm or in a colorimeter using a yellow green filter.
Equipment required
Hb pipette
Spectrophotometer
Reagents required
Drabkin’s solution pH7.0-7.4 which contains

Potassium cyanide 50 mg Potassium ferricyanide 200 mg
Potassium dihydrogen phosphate 140 mg
Nonionic detergent 1 ml
Distilled water 1 L
The solution should be clear and pale yellow in color. When

measured against water as a blank in a spectrometer at a wavelength of 540
nm, the absorbance must be zero. The solution is unstable if exposed to
light and can be stored at room temperature in brown borosilicate bottles
for several months. However, if the room temperature is higher than 30°C,
the solution should be stored in a refrigerator but brought to room
temperature before use. The solution must never be frozen. The pH of the
solution must be checked every month. Discard the solution if found to be
turbid/if pH is outside range/ it’s absorbance is not zero at 540 nm. Do
not pipette Drabkin’s solution by mouth. Sample: Venous blood collected
in EDTA.
78
Procedure
1. Take 5ml of Drabkin’s solution in a test tube.

2. Mix the blood sample by gentle inversion and draw 0.02ml of
blood into the Hb pipette. Wipe the outer surface of the pipette to remove
excess blood.
3. Place the pipette into the tube containing Drabkin’s solution and
slowly expel the blood into the solution. Mix well and let it stand
undisturbed for 5min.
4. Measure the absorbance of this solution at 540nm in a
spectrophotometer after adjusting the OD at 0 by using Drabkin’s solution
as blank.
5. Calculate the hemoglobin concentration using a standard curve.
79
27. ISOLATION OF CHLOROPLAST DNA
Principle
The DNA of plant cells is found in three distinct genomes. First,
there is nuclear DNA familiar as the DNA that makes up the
chromosomes, but mitochondria and chloroplasts each have DNAs of their
own. These genomes are closed circular DNA molecules encoding many of
enzymes necessary for the function of the organelles.
Materials
Extraction buffer (EB):
50 mM Tris pH 8.0
1% CTAB; 50 mM EDTA
1 mM 1,10 o-phenanthroline
0.7 M NaCl
0.1% β-mercaptoethanol
chloroform; isopropyl alcohol
80% ethanol
15 mM ammonium acetate pH 7.5.
TE buffer:
10 mM Tris pH 8.0
1 mM EDTA,
centrifuge tubes, water bath (65°C), centrifuge.
Protocol
Start with the frozen chloroplast preparation. This sample will have a
volume of several mL. For each mL of chloroplasts, add 4 mL EB. If
necessary, transfer the mixture to a capped centrifuge tube of at least twice
the volume of the chloroplasts and EB.
Incubate the mixture at 65°C for 1 h on a water bath.
Remove the tube from the water bath and allow cooling on the bench
for several minutes to proceed further.
Add an approximately equal volume of chloroform to the tube, recap,
and mix by inversion.
Centrifuge at >3500g for 10 min.
The tube contents will be separated into two distinct layers. Transfer
the upper (aqueous) layer into a fresh centrifuge tube with the help of an
80
ultra pipette. This tube should be of the same size as that used in the first
step. The lower (organic) layer is hazardous water, dispose as per safety
guidelines.
Add 0.6 mL of isopropanol for each mL of DNA containing extract
in the centrifuge tube and mix by inversion.
Centrifuge at >10,000g for 20 min.
Decant liquid in the tube away from the DNA containing pellet. The
tube’s inside can be wiped carefully to remove liquid, but take care not to
dislodge the DNA pellet.
Result
The yield of chloroplast DNA is expected to be low and will
depend on the quality of the chloroplast preparation produced.
81
28. ISOLATION OF MITOCHONDRIA
Principle
Roots of pea seedlings are used to isolate mitochondria by
differential centrifugation and assay the activity of a mitochondrial enzyme
to assess the success of the isolation protocol. Differential centrifugation
separates cell components based on differences in the rate at which they
sediment in a centrifugal field. The first centrifugation step will remove
whole cells, cell wall fragment, nuclei, starch, etc. Mitochondria, because of
their small size, will not be sedimented by this step but will remain
suspended in the supernatant. A subsequent spin at a higher speed will then
be used to pellet the mitochondria to the bottom of the centrifuge tube.
Materials
Pea seedlings, cheesecloth/miracloth, centrifuge tubes,
Pasteur pipettes, small paint brush, ice bucket, blender
centrifuges
UV–Vis spectrophotometer.
Harvest pea root tissue, prepare extract, isolate mitochondria by
differential centrifugation.
Homogenization buffer:
70 mM sucrose, 220 mM mannitol, 0.5 g/L BSA, 1 mM HEPES
pH 7.4 homogenization buffer.
Solutions:
0.1 M potassium phosphate buffer, pH 7.4,
0.8 M ascorbic acid,
4% Triton X-100,
5 mg/mL cytochrome,
sodium dithionate crystals.
Isolation of Mitochondria
Procedure
All solutions and samples should be kept on ice while working.
Harvest 5 g of 7-day-old pea roots, shake off vermiculite in which
they are growing, and rinse in distilled water in a beaker.
Chop roots into small pieces with a razor blade or scissors and put
82
into a chilled blender with 20 mL ice-cold homogenization buffer.

Homogenize the tissue with five 2–3 s bursts of the
blender at high speed.
Filter the homogenate through four layers of
cheesecloth plus one layer of miracloth. It may be necessary to
squeeze the filtrate through the cloth. Wear gloves.
Pour the filtrate into a centrifuge tube balance against a
tube of water and centrifuge at 4°C, 700g 10 min (2500 rpm in a
Sorvall SS34 rotor).
Decant the supernatant into a clean centrifuge tube and
centrifuge at 4°C, 10,000g 10 min (9500 rpm in a Sorvall SS34
rotor).
Decant the supernatant from the tube into a beaker and
save it on ice. Use it for the next experiment. The pellet at the
bottom of the centrifuge tube should contain isolated
mitochondria.
Wash them gently by resuspending in 20 mL of fresh
homogenization buffer. This is most easily done by pipetting 1–
2 mL of the buffer into the tube and using a small paintbrush to
break up the pellet.
Once the pellet is resuspended in this small volume, it
can be diluted with the remaining 18–19 mL of buffer.
Recentrifuge the washed mitochondria as in Step 6
earlier.
Discard the supernatant from this spin and resuspend
the mitochondrial pellet in 5 mL of homogenization buffer.
83
29. IDENTIFICATION OF LIPIDS BY THIN LAYER

CHROMATOGRAPHY
Principle
In biological materials, lipids are found as lipoprotein complexes and
these have to be extracted. Lipids being soluble in nonpolar organic solvents and
proteins being soluble in polar aqueous solvents, the efficient lipid extraction
can be achieved only with an aqueous solvent like chloroform and diethyl
ether. This would help in breaking the lipoprotein complexes. Extracted
lipid components can be separated on TLC based on their differential
mobility along the porous stationary phase such as silica gel, and these can
be located by spraying the plates with either 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescein or
50% sulfuric acid.
Materials
TLC tank; glass plates (20 × 20 cm) for TLC; 2′,7′-
dichlorofluorescein (prepare 0.2% solution of 2′,7′3-dichlorofluorescein in
95% v/v ethanol).
glass plates; spreader;
silica gel G;
oven set at 110°C;
UV lamp; solvent system—petroleum ether (b.p. 60°C–70°C).
Procedure
Extraction of lipids from sample
Grind 1 g of the tissue in the extraction solvent (either diethyl
ether/ethanol, 3:1, or chloroform/methanol, 2:1) in a pestle and mortar.
Transfer the homogenate to a separating funnel. Shake the contents
vigorously, and allow it to stand till the two phases have completely
separated. Drain out the lower organic layer that contains the lipids.
Evaporate the solvent under vacuum, and keep the concentrated lipid
extract protected from light under N2 atmosphere.
Prepare the TLC plates using silica gel G as described in the
experiment for sugars.
Activate the TLC plates at 110°C for 30 min, cool them in a
desiccator, and spot the lipid samples, standards, as well as unknown.
84
Develop the plates in the solvent system consisting of petroleum

ether (b.p. 60°C–70°C) or hexane/diethyl ether/glacial acetic acid (80:20:1)
till the solvent has traveled up to 1 cm from the opposite side of the plate.
Remove the plate and allow it to air-dry.
Locate the lipid spots by either of the following methods:
a. Spray the plate with 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescein and examine it under UV
light. Lipids show up as green fluorescent regions against the
dark background.
b. Spray the plate carefully with 50% H2SO4 and heat it in an oven at
110°C for 10 min. Areas containing lipids get charred and
appear as black spots.
Observation and Calculations

Calculate the Rf value of the lipid components in the sample and
identify them by comparing their Rf values with lipid standards.
85
30. DETERMINATION OF STARCH IN PLANT TISSUES
Principle
Sugars are first extracted by treating the finely powdered dried
grain or leaf sample repeatedly with hot 80% (v/v) alcohol. The residue is
then treated with cold perchloric acid to solubilize starch. This derivative is
then condensed with anthrone to give a blue-colored complex that is
determined quantitatively by anthrone sulfuric acid procedure.
Materials
Dry leaf powder, test tubes, water bath, refrigerated centrifuge,
polypropylene tubes, colorimeter, cuvettes, anthrone, sulfuric acid, ethyl
alcohol, perchloric acid, glucose.
Anthrone–sulfuric acid reagent:
Dissolve 2 g of anthrone in cold 95% conc. H2SO4, store at 4°C.
Use freshly prepared reagent.
80% absolute alcohol: Eighty milliliters of ethyl alcohol make up to 100
mL with distilled water.
52% perchloric acid: Add 270 mL of 72% perchloric acid to 100 mL of
water.
Glucose standard:
Dissolve 0.1 g of anhydrous glucose in 100 mL of water containing
0.001% benzoic acid as preservative. The standard solution contains 1 mg
glucose per mL.
Procedure
For extraction of sugars and starch, take 0.2 g of finely ground
sample in a 50 mL centrifuge tube, and add 20 mL of hot 80% alcohol.
Shake the tubes for 5–10 min, and after centrifuging at 3000 rpm for 10
min, decant the supernatant.
Repeat this extraction with 80% hot ethanol five to six times till the
supernatant is free of sugars as judged by a negative test with anthrone
reagent.
Cool the residue in ice water and add 6.5 mL of 52% perchloric
acid while stirring the contents with a glass rod.
Let it stand for 15 min with occasional stirring and then centrifuge
86
at 4°C. Collect the supernatant and repeat this extraction Step four to
five times. Combine the supernatant fractions and make up the volume
to 100 mL with water.
Dilute the previous extract so that it contains 5–20 µg of glucose
per mL. Take 5 mL aliquot of this diluted extract and place the tubes in a
cold water bath.
Add 10 mL freshly prepared anthrone reagent. Mix properly and
transfer the tubes to boiling water bath for 5–7 min.
After cooling the tubes under running tap water, note the
absorbance of these solutions at 630 nm.
Prepare a standard curve using 0–100 µg glucose and anthrone
reagent (Step 3). Calculate the amount of glucose in the sample aliquot.
Results
From the standard curve, determine the amount of glucose in 5 mL
of the diluted aliquot of sample extract.
87
31. ISOLATION OF CASEIN FROM MILK
Principle:
Casein is the main protein found in milk and is present at a
concentration of about 35 g/L. It is actually a heterogeneous mixture of
phosphorus-containing proteins and not a single compound. Most proteins
show minimum solubility at their isoelectric point, and this principle is used
to isolate the casein by adjusting the pH of milk to 4.8, its isoelectric point.
Casein is also insoluble in ethanol, and this property is used to remove
unwanted fat from the preparation.
Materials:
Milk, sodium acetate buffer (0.2 mol/L, pH 4.6)
Ethanol (95% v/v), ether
Procedure:
Place 100 mL of milk in a 500 mL beaker and warm to 40°C; also
warm 100 mL of the acetate buffer and add slowly with stirring.
The final pH of the mixture should be about 4.8, and this can be
checked with a pH meter. Cool the suspension to room temperature and
then leave to stand for a further 5 min before filtering through muslin.
Wash the precipitate several times with a small volume of water,
and then suspend it in about 30 mL of ethanol.
Filter the suspension on a Buchner funnel and wash the precipitate
a second time with a mixture of equal volumes of ethanol and ether.
Finally, wash the precipitate on the filter paper with 50 mL of
ether, and suck dry. Remove the powder and spread out on a watch glass to
allow evaporation of the ether.
Weigh the casein and calculate the percentage yield of the protein.
Result:
The total casein is present in the given sample is …………………
88
32. DETERMINATION OF THE ACID VALUE OF A FAT
Principle
During storage, fats may become rancid as a result of peroxide
formation at the double bonds by atmospheric oxygen and hydrolysis by
microorganisms with the liberation of free acid. The amount of free acid
present, therefore, gives an indication of age and quality of the fat. The acid
value is the number of milligrams of KOH required to neutralize the free
fatty acid present in 1 g of fat.
Materials
Olive oil, butter and margarine,
fat solvent (equal volumes of 95% v/v alcohol and ether
neutralized to phenolphthalein),
Phenolphthalein (10 g/L in alcohol),
KOH (0.1 mol/L)
Protocol
Accurately weigh out 10 g of the test compound and suspend the
melted fat in about 50 mL of fat solvent.
Add 1 mL of phenolphthalein solution, mix thoroughly, and titrate
with 0.1 mol/L KOH until the faint pink color persists for 20–30 s.
Note the number of milliliters of standard alkali required and
calculate the acid value of the fat.
Results
The acid value present in the given fat sample is ………g/mL.
89
33. SAPONIFICATION VALUE OF FAT
Principle
On refluxing with alkali, glyceryl esters are hydrolyzed to give
glycerol and the potassium salts of the fatty acids (soaps). The
saponification value is the number of milligrams of KOH required to
neutralize the fatty acids resulting from the complete hydrolysis of 1 g of
fat. The saponification value gives an indication of the nature of the fatty
acids in the fat since the longer the carbon chain, the less acid is liberated
per gram of fat hydrolyzed.
Materials
Fats and oils (tristearin, coconut oil, corn oil, and butter),
Fat solvent (equal volumes of 95% ethanol and ether),
Alcoholic KOH (0.5 mol/L),
Phenolphthalein (10 g/L in alcohol),
HCl (0.5 mol/L)
Protocol
Weigh 1 g of fat in a tarred beaker and dissolve in about 3 mL of
the fat solvent.
Quantitatively transfer the contents of the beaker to a 250 mL
conical flask by rinsing the beaker three times with a further addition of
solvent; add 25 mL of 0.5 mol/L alcoholic KOH and attach to a reflux
condenser.
Set up another reflux condenser as blank with everything present
except the fat, and heat both flasks on a boiling water bath for 30 min.
Leave to cool to room temperature and titrate with 0.5 mol/L HCl
and phenolphthalein indicator.
The difference between the blank and test reading gives the
number of milliliters of 0.5 mol/L KOH required to saponify 1 g of fat.
Results
The molecular weight of KOH is 56, and since three molecules of
fatty acid are released from a triglyceride
90
34. ESTIMATION OF BLOOD CHOLESTEROL
Principle
Acetic anhydride reacts with cholesterol in a chloroform solution
to produce a characteristic blue-green color. Blood or serum is extracted
with an alcohol–acetone mixture that removes cholesterol and other lipids
and precipitates protein. The organic solvent is removed by evaporation on
a boiling water bath and the dry residue dissolved in chloroform. The
cholesterol is then determined colorimetrically using the Liebermann–
Burchard reaction. Free cholesterol is equally distributed between the cells
and plasma, while the esterifies form occurs only in plasma. It is essential to
use absolutely dry glassware for this estimation.
Materials
Serum or blood, alcohol–acetone mixture (1:1)
Chloroform, acetic anhydride–sulfuric acid mixture (30:1)
Stock cholesterol solution (2 mg/mL in chloroform)
Working cholesterol solution (dilute the previous solution in 1:5
ratios in chloroform to give a strength of 0.4 mg/mL).
Protocol
Place 10 mL of the alcohol–acetone solvent in a centrifuge tube,
and add 0.2 mL of serum or blood.
Immerse the tube in a boiling water bath with shaking until the
solvent begins to boil. Remove the tube and continue shaking the mixture
for a further 5 min. Cool to room temperature and centrifuge.
Decant the supernatant fluid into a test tube and evaporate to
dryness on a boiling water bath.
Cool and dissolve the residue in 2 mL of chloroform. At the same
time, set up a series of standard tubes containing cholesterol and a blank
with 2 mL of chloroform.
Add 2 mL of acetic anhydride–sulfuric acid mixture to all tubes and
thoroughly mix. Leave the tubes in the dark at room temperature and read
the extinction at 680 nm.
Results
The normal serum cholesterol lies within the range of 100–250
mg/100 mL.
91
35. ISOLATION OF RNA FROM YEAST
Principle
Total yeast RNA is obtained by extracting a whole-cell homogenate
with phenol. The concentrated solution of phenol disrupts hydrogen
bonding in the macromolecules, causing denaturation of the protein. The
turbid suspension is centrifuged, and two phases appear: the lower phenol
phase contains DNA, and the upper aqueous phase contains carbohydrate
and RNA. Denatured protein, which is present in both phases, is removed
by centrifugation. The RNA is then precipitated with alcohol. The product
obtained is free of DNA but usually contaminated with polysaccharide.
Further purification can be made by treating the preparation with amylase.
Materials
Dried yeast, phenol solution (90%),
Potassium acetate (20%, pH 5),
Absolute ethanol, diethyl ether
Protocol
Suspend 30 g of dried yeast in 120 mL of water previously heated
to 37°C. Leave for 15 min at this temperature and add 160 mL of
concentrated phenol solution.
Stir the suspension mechanically for 30 min at room temperature,
and then centrifuge at 3000g for 15 min in the cold to break the emulsion.
Carefully remove the upper aqueous layer with a Pasteur pipette, and
centrifuge at 10,000g for 5 min in a refrigerated centrifuge to sediment
denatured protein.
Add potassium acetate to the supernatant to a final concentration
of 20 g/L, and precipitate the RNA by adding two volumes of ethanol.
Cool the solution in ice and leave to stand for 1 h.
Collect the precipitate by centrifuging at 2000g for 5 min in the
cold. Wash the RNA with ethanol–water (3:1), ethanol, and, finally, ether;
air-dry and weigh. (Note: Yeast contains about 4% RNA by dry weight.)
Compare with a commercial preparation by measuring the pentose,
phosphorus, and DNA content and by determining the absorption
spectrum. Keep your preparation for use in later experiments.
92
36. ESTIMATION OF CHLOROPHYLL

CONCENTRATION IN THE CHLOROPLAST
SUSPENSION
Principle
Pigments absorb light to different extents depending on the

exposure of light of varying wavelength of the light spectrum. The ideal
wavelength to select is the peak of the pigment’s absorption spectrum for
quantification of a pigment. For example, for chlorophyll a, 663 nm is
generally used, but for chlorophyll b, 645 nm is a more appropriate
wavelength to choose. The greater the concentration of a pigment in solu-
tion, the larger the proportion of light absorbed by the sample at that
wavelength.
Procedure
Take 1 mL aliquot of the chloroplast suspension into a 10 mL
graduated cylinder, and dilute to 10 mL with 80% acetone. Cover the
cylinder with parafilm and mix by inverting.
Prepare the spectrophotometer to read the absorbance of the diluted
chlorophyll extract.
Adjust the wavelength to read 652 nm (why is this wavelength
chosen?). Without a cuvette in the machine, adjust to 0% transmittance
(left-hand knob).
Blank the spectrophotometer with the reagent blank (80% acetone) to
read 0 absorbance (right-hand knob). Transfer some of diluted chlorophyll
extract to a cuvette and read the absorbance. Record the absorbance value.
Chlorophyll absorbance (A652) = OD
Calculate the chlorophyll content in the diluted sample using the
following equation. Record the chlorophyll concentration of the
diluted sample.
A = ECd where A is the observed absorbance, E is a proportionality
constant (extinction coefficient) (=36 mL/cm), C is the chlorophyll
concentration (mg/mL), and d is the distance of the light path (=1
cm).
Calculate the chlorophyll concentration in the original chloroplast
93
suspension (undiluted) by adjusting for the dilution factor. In order

to determine the concentration of chlorophyll in the original
suspension, you must multiply the chlorophyll concentration in the
diluted sample by the dilution factor.
Knowing the chlorophyll content of the undiluted chloroplasts, prepare
10 mL of chloroplast suspension containing approximately 0.02
mg/mL chlorophyll by diluting an appropriate aliquot of original
chloroplast suspension with cold 0.5 M sucrose. Keep this on ice.
94
37. DETERMINATION OF TOTAL ERYTHROCYTE

COUNT
For RBC count, a method devised by Yokayama (1974) and later

modified by Christensen et al., (1978) was followed. Hayems diluting fluid,
which had the following composition, was used for RBC count.
Chemicals:
Mercuric chloride : 0.5gm
Sodium chloride : 1.0gm
Sodium sulphate : 5.0 gm
Distilled water : 200ml
Procedure
An improved Neubauer,s counting chamber was used for counting
RBC (Baker and Silverton, 1982).
Using RBC pipette, the blood was drawn upto 0.5 mark and the
diluting fluid to the mark 101.
Although fluid is drawn to the mark 101 but the real dilution is
0.5:100 or 1:200 because the fluid in the capillary tube is discarded before
the count.
Calculations
The number of RBC’s per sq mm was calculated as follows:
Area of a small square : 1/400 sq mm
Depth of the counting chamber : 1/10mm
The volume of Small Squareis : 1/4000cumm
The dilution of the blood is : 1/200
Total RBC = cu mm
N = No of cells in 80 small squares
Result
The total RBC present in the given sample is ……………….
95
38. DETERMINATION OF TOTAL LEUCOCYTE COUNT
A white cell count (TLC) estimates the total number of white cells
in a cubic millimetre of blood. WBC diluting fluid or Turk fluid contains a
weak acid to lyse the red blood cells and Gentian violet stain for staining
the nucleus of white blood cells.
Chemicals:
The Turks fluid with following composition was used for TLC:
Glacial acetic acid :1.5ml
1% aqueous solution of Gentian violet :1 ml
Distilled water :100ml
Procedure
Neubauer,s hemocytometer (Baker and Silverton, 1982) was used
for counting of leucocytes.
Using white cell pipette, the blood was drawn upto 0.5 mark and
the diluting fluid to 11 mark, thus the dilution was 1:20.
Calculations
The number of RBC’s per sq mm was calculated as follows:
Area of a small square : 4 sq mm
Depth of the counting chamber : 1/10mm
The dilution of the blood is : 1/20
N x 20/10
Total WBC = ----------------- cu mm
4
Result
The total WBC present in the given sample is ……………….
96
39. DETERMINATION OF PACKED CELL VOLUME

(PCV) OR HAEMATOCRIT
PCV was determined by micro haematocrit method of Schalm et

al., (1975).
Chemicals:
EDTA blood
PCV tube
Procedure
The heparinised blood was filled upto the mark 100 of the
haematocrit tube with the help of Pasteur pipette and centrifuged at 3000
rpm for 30minutes.
The relative volume of the height of the RBC’s packed at the
bottom of the haematocrit tube was recorded as (PCV) in terms of
percentage of total blood column taken in the haematocrit tube.
Result
The PCV or Haematocrit present in the given sample is
……………….
97
40. DETERMINATION OF MEAN CORPUSCULAR

VOLUME (MCV)
MCV indicates the average size of the RBC in a given sample of

blood.
MCV was calculated by the following formula and represented in
cubic microns.
PCV×10
MCV (fl) =
RBC Count
Result
The MVC present in the given sample is ……………….
98
41. DETERMINATION OF MEAN CORPUSCULAR

HEMOGLOBIN (MCH)
MCH represents the average weight of the hemoglobin contained

in each RBC in a given volume of the blood.
MCH is influenced by the size of the cell and concentration of the

hemoglobin.
MCH was calculated by the following formula and expressed in

pictograms (pg).
Hemoglobin(g / dL)×10
MCH (pg) =
RBC Count
Result
The MCH present in the given sample is ……………….
99
42. MEAN CORPUSCULAR HEMOGLOBIN

CONCENTRATION (MCHC)
MCHC reflects the average concentration of the hemoglobin in the

RBC in a given volume of the blood.
MCHC was obtained by the following formula and expressed in

terms of percentage.
Hemoglobin(g / dL)
MCHC (%) = ×100
PCV
Result
The MCHC present in the given sample is ……………….
100
43. DIFFERENTIAL LEUKOCYTE COUNT
Differential Leucocyte Count in blood was determined by the

method Ghai, (1993). A dried blood film stained with Leishman’s stain, was
examined under oil a immersion objective and the different type of white
blood cells were identified. The percentage of distribution these cells was
then determined.
Reagents
Leishman’s stain (Eosin and methylene blue dyes dissolved in
acetone-free absolute methyl alcohol).
Procedure
A blood film was prepared, dried and placed on the staining rack
and was covered with Leishman’s stain, allowed to stand for 2 minutes.
Then equal volume of distilled water was added and mixed by the
slide first one way and then other.
Allowed to stand it for 6 minutes. Drained off diluted stain in a
stream of distilled water from a wash bottle for about 20 seconds and
allowed the slide to remain on the staining rack for 1-2 minutes with the last
wash covering it.
Then kept the slide against a support in an inclined position,
stained smear facing down and allowed it to dry.
Then the stained slides were studied under low and high power
objectives for differential leucocyte count by placing two drops of glycerol
on the stained smear and using oil-immersion lens.
Calculations
Differential leucocyte was expressed as percentage.
Number of type cells
DLC (%) = -------------------------------------------------- x 100
Total number of leukocytes
101
44. DETERMINATION OF SERUM AMYLASE
Principle:
Serum is incubated with starch substrate. The amylase in the serum
hydrolyses the starch to simpler units with a resulting increase in reducing
groups. In the method presented here iodine is added which reacts with the
starch molecules not hydrolysed by the amylase. The iodine-starch complex
is blue in colour and is measured in the spectrophotometer. The degree of
loss in colour is proportional to the amount of starch hydrolysed and hence
to the activity of the amylase in the serum. A substrate control is carried
though the procedure to give a reference value for the amount of starch
substrate present before hydrolysis.
Procedure
1. Pipette 5 ml of substrate into two 50 ml volumetric flasks.
2. Place the 'test' flask into a 34oC water bath for 5 minute to warm
the contents.
3. Using a pipette that deviloers between two marks add 0.1 ml of
serum to the 'test' flask and mix. Do not use blow out pipettes as the
smallest amount of saliva can give a large error.
4. Time the addition of serum using a stop watch.
5. After exactly 7.5 minutes add 5 ml or working iodine solution, mix
and immediately remove from the water bath.
6. Similarly add 5 ml of the working iodine solution to the flask
containing the 'substrate control', which has not been incubated.
7. Dilute the contents of both flasks to the 50 ml mark with distilled
water and mix the flasks well.
8. Read the absorbance of both against water using the large (19 mm)
cuvettes at 660 nm.
Calculation
Absorbance of substrate control – absorbance of test x 800 Absorbance of
control
units of amylase activity per 100 ml of serum.
102
45. ESTIMATION OF SERUM URIC ACID
Principle:
Phosphotungstic acid in alkaline medium oxidizes uric acid
to allantion and itself gets reduced to tungsten blue which is
estimated colorimetrically at 700mm.
Reagents :
Sodium tungstate 10%.
2/3 N Sulphuric acid.
Tungstic acid: Add 50ml of 10% sodium tungstate 50ml 2/3 N H2SO4 and
a drop of phosphoric acid with mixing to 800ml water. Discard when
cloudy. Store in brown bottle.
Phosphotungstic acid: Stock-Dissolve 50g sodium tungstate in about 400ml
of water. Add 40ml 85% phosphoric acid and reflux gently for 2 hours,
cool, make volume to 500m. store in brown bottle. Dilute 1 to 1 for use.
Na3CO3 10%.
Standard uric acid solution stock-100mg%.

Working uric acid solution-1mg%.
Procedure :
In a centrifuge tube pipette 0.6ml serum and add 5.4ml. tungstic
acid while shaking. Centrifuge and process as follows.
B T S S2 S3
1. Standard uric acid - - 1.0 2.0 3.0
(1mg%) ml.
2. Supernatant (ml) - 3.0 - - -
3. D. Water (ml) 3.0 - 2.0 1.0 -
4. Na3CO3 (ml) 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6
5. Phosphotungstate (ml) 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6
103
Mix well stand at room temperature for 30 min. Read

absorbance at 700 nm or using a red filter plot a standard curve
between concentration of standard and absorbance and calculate the
uric acid conc, in test.
O.D. Test Conc. of Std.

Serum Uric acid =-------------------x--------------------x100
O.D. Std. Vol. of Serum
104
46. PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS
The chemicals produced by plants are referred to as plant

chemicals. These are generated by the primary and secondary metabolism
of the plant. These phytochemicals are essential for other plants, animals,
insects and microbial pests and pathogens to prosper or thwart them. Plants
are also assisted and protected from disease and harm caused by
environmental hazards such as pollution, UV, stress and draught. They are
used as conventional medicine and as ancient poisons.
Phytochemicals are not the essential nutrients they are, rather than
the essential nutrients because there is no evidence that they are not yet
established to cause any possible health effects in humans. They are known
to have a role in the protection of human health. More than 4,000
phytochemicals are classified by protective function, physical characteristics
and chemical characteristics and have been catalogued. Phytochemicals are
usually classified into the following types; carotenoids and polyphenols,
including phenolic acids, stilbenes/lignans, are included. In addition,
flavones, anthocyanins, isoflavones and flavanols are further categorized
into classifications such as flavonoids.
Steps in Preparation of Plant Sample

Drying
The plant materials are dried to remove the water content and thus
to store them after the water is removed. As soon as the plants are
collected, this process should be done immediately so that spoilage is
prevented. In drying the plants, there are two techniques,
Natural process
This process include sun-drying. In this the plants are kept in the
shades and are air dried in sheds. This process takes few weeks for
complete drying of the moisture. This time depends on the temperature and
humidity.
Artificial drying
Using the help of artificial driers, artificial drying is done. The time
consumed is reduced to a few hours or minutes by this process. Warm-air
drying is the common method used for the drying of medicinal plants. The
105
hot air furnace on which hot air is blown is used to do this. For drying
succulent parts of plants and fragile flowers, this method is applicable. To
avoid disintegration of the thermolabile compounds, the drying must be
done at a lower temperature.
Grinding of plant materials
The plant samples are to be powdered for further analysis
following complete drying of moisture. There are various forms of
powdering, including the following,
1. Grinding can be done by grinding in an electric grinder or a spice mill or
in a mortar or pestle as well.
2. Due to the increased surface area of the plants, grinding increases the
effectiveness of extraction. The reduction in the area of the surface can lead
to dense packing of the material.
3. It is always ideal to mill the plants into a fine powder, but if they are too
fine, this impacts the flow of the solvent and also generates more heat that
could degrade some thermolabile compounds.
Choice of Solvent
For the determination of biologically active phytochemicals from
plants, the solvent that is used for the extraction process is very important.
These solvents must be less toxic, easy to evaporate in less heat, preserve
and not dissociate the compounds in them. For extraction, the different
solvents commonly used include:
1. Water:
It is a universal solvent; plant extracts are usually extracted with
water for anti-microbial activity. But when compared to water, the organic
solvents give consistent results in anti-microbial activities. No significant
results can be obtained from water soluble compounds in the extract.
2. Alcohol:
Due to the presence of higher amounts of polyphenols, these
alcoholic extracts from plants show more activity than aqueous extracts.
This is due to the higher alcohol degradation of the cell wall and seed,
which releases the polyphenols that will be degraded if aqueous extracts are
extracted. Ethanol, however is microbicidal rather than water. 70 percent
ethanol is used to extract more bioactive compounds than pure ethanol.
Intracellular ingredients from plant materials are also found to be easier to
106
extract from ethanol. For the extraction of phenolic compounds, polar

solvents like methanol, ethanol and their aqueous mixtures are used. The
addition of water to alcohol will enhance the extraction rate. Because of its
cytotoxic nature, methanol is more polar but is unsuitable for extraction.
3. Acetone:
Acetone dissolves many of the plants' hydrophilic and lipophilic
compounds and is water-mixable. It is low in toxicity and volatile and is
used to extract antimicrobial activity. Tannins and other phenolic
compounds are extracted using acetone. In addition, they are used to
extract saponins.
4. Chloroform:
Terpenoid lactones are obtained from barks by extraction with
chloroform. Tannins and Terpenoids are treated with less polar solvents.
5. Ether: They are used for the extraction of coumarins and fatty acids.
Methods of Extraction:
Homogenization
One of the most commonly used methods for extraction is this
technique. This is done using either the dried or wet method of extraction.
The dried plant samples are finely powdered in this dried extraction method
and added to the solvent blended for a few minutes and kept for about 24
hours in an orbital shaker. The parts of the plants are cut into small pieces
during the wet extraction process, ground in a mortar and pestle and added
to a solvent and shaken for 24 hours in an orbital shaker and then filtered.
The filtrate can be used for the further analysis.
Serial Exhaustive Extraction
It is done to extract a wide range of polarities of compounds with a
variety of solvents from a non-polar solvent such as hexane to more polar
solvent such as methanol. The drawback is that due to the high heat leading
to the degradation, thermolabile compounds can not be extracted.
Soxhlet Extraction
It is used when the compound in the solvent is less soluble and the
impurities in the solvent are soluble. The impurities can be eliminated by
107
simple filtration if the desired compound is highly soluble in the solvent.

The benefit is that the solvent is recycled in this method and therefore the
solvent is less wasted. Thermolabile compounds cannot be extracted in this
method, similar to the above method.
Maceration In this method,
With frequent agitation, the entire plant or the powder can be kept
in the solvent for a certain period until the soluble compounds are
dissolved. For thermolabile compounds, this method is the most
appropriate method.
Decoction
Heat-stable and water-soluble compounds are extracted in this
process. The plant materials extracted are cooked in the water for about 15
minutes and cooled, filtered and used for further analysis. 4.6. Infusion
By diluting the compounds in the solvents, it is done. It is prepared by
macerating the compounds in cold or boiling water for a brief period.
Digestion
This is a process where the extraction is done as maceration with a
gentle heat applied. It is used when the elevated temperature do not
interfere the solvent efficiency or the compounds.
Percolation
For this process an instrument called percolator is used which is a
narrow, cone shaped Vessel with open ends. The ingredients are moistened
with an appropriate amount of the specified menstrum and allowed to stand
for approximately 4 h in a well closed container, after which the mass is
packed and the top of the percolator is closed. Additional menstrum is
added to form a shallow layer above the mass, and the mixture is allowed to
macerate in the closed percolator for 24 h. The outlet of the percolator then
is opened and the liquid contained therein is allowed to drip slowly.
Additional menstrum is added as required, until the percolate measures
about three quarters of the required volume of the finished product. The
marc is then pressed and the expressed liquid is added to the percolate.
Sufficient menstrum is added to produce the required volume, and the
mixed liquid is clarified by filtration or by standing followed by decanting.
108
Sonication
In this method the ultrasound with higher frequencies of 20 kHz –
2000 kHz are used which will disrupt the cells and releases the constituents.
Although the process is useful in some cases, like extraction of rauwolfi a
root, its large-scale application is limited due to the higher costs. One
disadvantage of the procedure is the occasional but known deleterious
effect of ultrasound energy (more than 20 kHz) on the active constituents
of medicinal plants through formation of free radicals and consequently
undesirable changes in the drug molecules.
Qualitative Analysis of Primary Metabolites:

Test for carbohydrates
Benedict’s test:
About 0.5 ml of the filtrate was taken to which 0.5 ml of Benedict’s
reagent is added. This mixture was heated for about 2 minutes in a boiling
water bath. The appearance of red precipitate indicates the presence of
sugars
Molisch’s test:
To about 2ml of the sample, 2 drops of alcoholic solution of α-
napthol was added and to the mixture after being shaken well. Few drops of
conc.H2SO4 were added along the sides of the test tube. A violet ring
indicates the presence of sugars
Test for Starch
To about 5 ml of distilled water, 0.01g of iodine and 0.075 g of
potassium iodide were added and this solution was added to about 2-3 ml
of the extract. Formation of blue colour indicates the presence of starch.
Test for proteins

Biuret test:
2ml of filtrate was taken to which 1 drop of 2% copper sulphate
solution was added; 1ml of 95% ethanol was added. Then it was followed
by excess addition of KOH. The appearance of pink colour indicates the
presence of protein.
2ml of extract was mixed with 2ml of water and about 0.5% of
conc. HNO3 was added. The appearance of yellow colour indicates the
presence of proteins.
109
To about 2 ml of the extract, 2ml of miller’s reagent was added

white precipitate which turns red on heating will confirm the presence of
proteins.
Test for amino acids
To 1ml of the extract, few drops of ninhydrin reagent (10mg of
ninhydrin in 200ml of acetone) were added. The appearance of purple
colour indicates the presence of amino acids.
To 2ml of extract few drops of nitic acid were added along the
sides of the tube the appearance of yellow colour indicates the presence of
protein and free amino acids.
Test for fatty acids

1 ml of the extract was mixed with 5 ml of ether. There extracts
were allowed to evaporate on a filter paper and the filter paper was dried.
The appearance of transparency indicates the presence of fatty oils
Miscellaneous compounds
Test of resins
1. Precipitation test: about 0.2 g of extract was extracted with 15ml of 95%
ethanol. The alcoholic extract was then poured into a beaker containing
about 20ml of distilled water.
2. 1ml of extract was taken and to this few ml of acetic anhydride was
added to this 1ml of conc.H2SO4 was added. The appearance of orange to
yellow colour indicates the presence of resins
Test of fixed oils and fats

1. Spot test: small quantity of the extract was taken and pressed between 2
filter papers. The appearance of spots indicates presence of oils
2. Saponification test: To the extract, few drops of 0.5N alcoholic KOH
and few drops of phenolphthalein were added. This mixture was heated for
about 2 hours. The formation of soap or partial neutralization of alkali
indicates the presence of fixed oils or fats
Gums and mucilage
To 1ml of extract, distilled water, 2ml of absolute ethanol was added with
constant stirring white or cloudy precipitate indicates the presence of gums
or mucilage
110
Carboxylic acids
1. To 1ml of extract a pinch of sodium bicarbonate is added. The
production of effervescence indicates the presence of carboxylic acids
2. 2ml of alcoholic extract was taken in warm water and filtered. The
filtrate was then tested with litmus paper and methyl orange. The
appearance of blue colour.
Qualitative Analysis of Secondary Metabolites

Test for anthraquinones
To 5ml of extract, few ml of conc.H2SO4 was added and 1ml of
diluted ammonia was added to it. The appearance of rose pink confirms the
presence of anthraquinones
Test for quinones

To 1ml of extract, alcoholic KOH is added the presence of red to
blue colour indicates the presence of quinones
Test for alkaloids

1. Mayer’s test: to a few ml of filtrate, 2 drops Mayer’s reagent was added a
creamy or white precipitate shows a positive result for alkaloids.
2. Wagner’s test (iodine – potassium iodine reagent): To about an ml of
extract few drops of Wagner’s reagent were added. Reddish – brown
precipitate indicates presence of alkaloids.
3. To 5ml of extract 2ml of HCl was added. Then 1 ml of Dragendroff‟s
reagent was added an orange or red precipitate shows a positive result for
alkaloids.
Test for glycosides

1. Borntrager’s test: to 2ml of filtrate, 3ml of chloroform is added and
shaken. The chloroform layer is separated and 10% ammonia solution was
added. The pink colour indicates the presence of glycosides
2. 5ml of extract was hydrolysed with 5ml of conc. HCl boiled for few
hours in a boiling water bath, small amount of alcoholic extract was
dissolved in 2ml of water and 10% of aqueous 10% NaOH was added the
presence of yellow colour was a positive result for the glycosides.
111
3. 2ml of extract is mixed with about 0.4 ml of glacial acetic acid containing
traces of ferric chloride and 0.5 of conc. H2SO4 was added the production
of blue colour is positive for glycosides.
Test for cardiac glycosides (Keller-Killani test)

1. 5ml of solvent extract was mixed with 2ml of glacial acetic acid and a
drop of ferric chloride solution was added followed by the addition of 1ml
of conc. H2SO4. A brown ring in the interface indicates the presence of
deoxy sugars of cardenoloides. A violet ring may appear beneath the brown
ring while acetic acid layer a green ring may also form just gradually towards
the layer.
Test for phenol

1. Gelatine test:
To 5ml of extract 2ml of 1% solution of gelatine containing 10% of NaCl is
added. Appearance of white precipitate indicates the presence of phenol
2. Lead acetate test: To 5 ml of extract 3ml of 10%lead acetate solution was
added and mixed gently. The production of bulky white precipitate is
positive for phenols. Test for polyphenols 1. To the 3ml of extracts 10ml of
ethanol was added and were warmed in a water bath for 15 minutes. To this
few drops of ferric cyanide (freshly prepared) was added. The formation of
blue – green colour indicates presence of polyphenols.
2. To 1ml of extract few drops of 5% solution of lead acetate was added.
The appearance of yellow precipitate indicates the positive results for
polyphenols
3. To the 5ml of ethanolic extract 3ml of 0.1% gelatine solution was added.
The formation of precipitate was positive for polyphenols
Test for tannins

1. To 5ml of extract few drops of neutral 5% ferric chloride solution was
added, the production of dark green colour indicates the presence of
tannins
Test for Flavonoids

1. To the aqueous solution of the extracts 10% ammonia solution is added
112
and is heated. The production of fluorescence yellow is positive for

flavonoids.
2. 1ml of extract was taken and 10% of lead acetate was added. The yellow
precipitate is positive inference for the flavonoids
3. The extract is treated with concentrated H2SO4 resulting in the
formation of orange colour indicates the positive result for flavonoids.
4. To 5ml of dilute ammonia the plant extract is added and shaken well.
The aqueous portion is separated and concentrated H2SO4 is added. The
yellow colour indicates the presence of flavonoids.
Test for phytosterols

1. The extract is dissolved in 2ml of acetic anhydrite and to which 1 or 2
drops of concentrated H2SO4 is added along the sides an array of colour
change indicates the presence of phytosterols.
2. The extract was refluxed with alcoholic KOH and saponification takes
place. The solution was diluted with ether and the layer was evaporated and
the residue was tested for phytosterols. It was dissolved in diluted acetic
acid and few drops of concentrated H2SO4 are added. The presence of
bluish green colour indicates the presence of phytosterols.
Test for phlobatannins

1. Aqueous extract was boiled with diluted HCl leading to the deposition of
reddish precipitate indicates the presence of phlobatannins Test for
saponins 1. 0.5 mg of extract was vigorously shaken with few ml of distilled
water. The formation of frothing is positive for saponins
2. The froth from the above reaction is taken and few drops of olive oil is
added and shaken vigorously and observed for the formation of emulsion.
Test for steroids 2ml of extract with 2ml of chloroform and 2ml of
concentrated H2SO4 are added, the appearance of red colour and yellowish
green fluorescence indicates the presence of steroids
Test for xanthoproteins

1ml of extract is taken and to this few drops of nitric acid and
ammonia are added. Reddish brown precipitate indicates the presence of
xanthoproteins Test for chalcones 2ml of ammonium hydroxide is added to
0.5 g of extract. The appearance of red colour indicates the presence of
113
chalcones
Test for Terpenoids (Salkowski test) 3ml of the extract was taken
and 1ml of chloroform and 1.5 ml of concentrated H2SO4 are added along
the sides of the tube. The reddish brown colour in the interface is
considered positive for the presence of terpenoids
Test for triterpenoids

To 10 mg of extract 1ml of chloroform is added and is mixed to
dissolve it. 2ml of concentrated H2SO4 is added followed by 1ml of acetic
anhydride. Formation of reddish violet colour is positive for the presence of
triterpenoids.
Test for anthocyanins

2ml of aqueous extract was taken to which 2N HCl was added and
it was followed by the addition of ammonia, the conversion of pink-red
turns blue-violet indicates the presence of anthocyanins.
Test for Leucoanthocyanins
To 5ml of extract dissolved in water, 5ml of Isoamyl alcohol is
added. The red appearance of the upper layer indicates the presence of
Leucoanthocyanins
Test for Coumarins

To 2 ml of the extract, 3 ml of 10% aqueous solution of NaOH is added.
The production of yellow colour indicates the presence of coumarins
Test for emodins

To 5ml of extract, 2ml of NH3OH and 3ml of benzene are added. The
production of red colour indicates the presence of emodins
Qualitative Analysis of Vitamins

Test for Vitamin – A
In 5 ml of chloroform, 250mg of the powdered sample is
dissolved and it is filtered, to the filtrate, 5ml of antimony trichloride
solution is added. The appearance of transient blue colour indicates
presence of vitamin-A
114
Test for vitamin – C

In 5ml of distilled water, 1ml of the sample was diluted and a drop
of 5% sodium nitroprusside and 2ml of NaOH is added. Few drops of HCl
are added dropwise, the yellow colour turns blue. This indicates the
presence of vitamin- C
Test for vitamin – D

In 10 ml of chloroform, 500mg of powdered extract is dissolved
and filtered. 10ml of antimony trichloride is added, the appearance of
pinkish-red colour indicates the presence of vitamin – D
Test for vitamin – E

Ethanoic extract of the sample was made and filtered (500mg in
10ml), few drops of 0.1% ferric chloride were added and 1ml of 0.25% of
2’- 2’dipyridyl was added to 1ml of the filtrate. Bright-red colour was
formed with a white background.
Qualitative and Quantitative

Analysis Qualitative and quantitative analysis of phytochemicals
can be done using Gas Chromatography Mass Spectroscopy (GCMS).
GCMS can be applied to solid, liquid and gaseous samples. First the
samples are converted into gaseous state then analysis is carried out on the
basis of mass to charge ratio. High Performance Liquid Chromatography is
applicable for compounds soluble in solvents. High performance thin layer
chromatography is applicable for the separation, detection, qualitative and
quantitative analysis of phytochemicals.
Gas Chromatography
Volatile compounds are analysed using gas chromatography. In this
method, there is a gas and a liquid phase. The liquid phase is stationary
where the gas phase is a mobile phase. These compounds to be analysed are
also in the mobile phase with a carrier gas which is usually helium, hydrogen
or argon. The chemicals are separated depending on the migration rate into
the liquid phase. Higher percentage of the chemical will lead to faster
migration in the liquid phase. This is widely used in qualitative and
115
quantitative phytochemical analysis.
High Performance Liquid Chromatography: (HPLC)

HPLC is also known as High- Pressure Liquid Chromatography.
This method involves the interaction of liquid solvent in the tightly packed
solid column or a liquid column. These acts as the stationary phase while
the liquid (solvent) acts as the mobile phase, high pressure enables the
compounds to pass to the detector. As HPLC compounds are analysed
after vaporisation, thermolabile compounds cannot be analysed with this
technique.
High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography: (HPTLC)

This method is modified form of thin layer chromatography. It is a
type of planer chromatography where the separation is done by high
performance layers with detection and the sample components are
acquisition using an advanced work- station. The reduction of the thickness
of the layer will increase the efficiency of the separation and hence HPTLC
is more advanced method for qualitative, quantitative and micro-preparative
chromatography.
Optimum Performance Laminar Chromatography:
(OPLC) OPLC combines the advantages of TLC and HPLC. The
system separates about 10-15 mg samples, with simultaneous processing of
up to 4 or 8 samples at a time depending on the model. In OPLC a pump is
used to force a liquid mobile phase through a stationary phase, such as silica
or a bonded-phase medium.
116
REFERENCES
1. Principles of Biochemistry – 7th edition Lehninger, Nelson Cox

Macmillan worth Publishers, 2013.
2. Textbook of Biochemistry-West & Todd.4th edition, Macmillan,

1966.
3. Harper’s Biochemistry 29th edition, McGraw Hill, 2012.
4. Fundamentals of Biochemistry –.11th edition Agarwal O.P., Goel

Publishing House, 2008.
5. Essentials of Biochemistry –2nd edition A.I. Jain. S.Chand

publications, 2004.
6. Chemistry of Biomolecules, S. P. Bhutani , 2010.
7. Fundamentals of bichemistry, J.L. Jain, 2005.
8. Introductory Experiments on Biomolecules and their Interactions,

Robert K. 2015.
9. Methods in Enzymology Vol. I and II by S.P. Colowick and N.O.

Kaplan eds. New York: Academia Press 1955.
10. A Textbook of Practical Biochemistry by David Plummer. Tata

McGrawHill Education, 1988.
11. Laboratory Mannual in Biochemistry by J. Jayaraman. New Age

International Publishers. 2nd Edn. 1981.
12. Varley’s Practical Clinical Biochemistry by Alan H Gowenlock,

published by CBS Publishers and distributors, India Sixth Edition,
1988.
117

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About the authors

Dr. Sattanathan, Assistant Professor in Life Science, at MASS College of

Practical Manual of Biochemistry

Dr. Padmapriya has working in Dharmapuram Gnanambigai Govt. Arts

Dr. B. Balamuralikrishnan, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor in Department

Dr. G. Sattanathan, Ph.D.,

Dr. G. Sattanathan, Ph.D.,

Dr Sattanathan Govindharajan Ph.D.,

Dr Swaminathan Padmapriya Ph.D.,

Dr Balasubramanian Balamuralikrishnan Ph.D.,

First Edition : December 2020

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I would like to thank God for enabling me to do this work. I

1. Rules and Procedures of General Safety 1

1. Prior to attending that laboratory session, the laboratory procedures must be

2. BUFFER SOLUTION PREPARATION AND PH

Preparation of solutions (Molar, Normal) and Dilution

solutions, solutions with precisely known concentrations can be referred to.

b. Preparing a Standard Solution from a Solid

In the first method, the solid solvent is weighed on paper or in a

More solvent is added until the liquid meniscus reaches the

In the second method, in a small beaker, the solid is weighed out

1. For example, dissolving 5 grams of NaCl in 95 grams of water,

This experiment is intended to introduce you to one of the three

nCO2+ n H2O + energy CnH2nOn + nO2

It is possible to classify carbohydrates as simple or complex:

4. QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS OF CARBOHYDRATES

2. Qualitative tests for carbohydrates:

A. General tests for carbohydrates:

acid first hydrolyses it into monosaccharides, which are then dehydrated to

B. Specific tests for carbohydrates:

(b) Tests based on the reduction of carbohydrate properties

However the alkaline solution of copper is reduced to insoluble

CuSO4 + 2KOH ------------ 2 + K2SO4

2Cu(OH)2 + Reducing Sugar ------------ 2O + Aldonic acid

D) Picric Acid Test:

is carried out in the presence of HCl ketohexoses to yield 4-hydroxy methyl

Bial's Test for Pentoses

E) Test for sucrose:

f) Mucic acid test for galactose

(g) Osazone test / Phenylhydrazine test

Table: 5.1 Colour reactions of Carbohdyrates

8 Osazone test a) Greenish Glucosazone is

9 Iodine test i) Blue violet Starch present

Protein is an important macronutrient essential for survival. They

If a large number of molecules of amino acids combine, the

6. TESTS FOR PROTEINS

Observe the color of the nitro derivativative of aromatic nucleus.

such as bromine solution, it gives a red color with alpha-naphthol. Apply

Add 0.5 mL 40% NaOH and 2 drops of a 1/10 diluted Fehling’s

By salts of Heavy Metals:

Table: 6.1 Colour reactions of Proteins

Amino acids are molecules containing an amine group, a group of

8. TESTS ON AMINO ACIDS

positive if it is to be concluded that the substance is a phenolic amino acid.

urea and glycine.

Table 9.1 Colour test for aminoacids and proteins

Test Reactions Responsible Colour formation

9. QUALITATIVE TESTS FOR LIPIDS