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Edexcel IGCSE Biology · Spec 2.9

Food Tests

The Benedict's, iodine, Biuret and emulsion tests for sugars, starch, protein and fats, and their positive colour changes.

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Food Tests

Spec 2.9

What you need to know

  • Test foods for glucose and starch
  • Test foods for protein and fat
  • Recall the positive colour change for each test

Active recall

Quick check

Answer each question before opening the answer.

State the reagent and positive result for starch and for protein.

Starch — iodine solution turns blue-black. Protein — Biuret reagent turns from blue to purple.

How do you test for a reducing sugar and for a lipid?

Reducing sugar — Benedict's solution, heat; blue to brick-red. Lipid — ethanol emulsion test; a white/cloudy emulsion forms.

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