Name of Test

Reagent Used

Positive
Result

Use of the
Test

Additional
Information

Molisch Test

Molisch
reagent

Violet ring at
junction

General Test
for
Carbohydrates

Also used in
the reaction
with acids.

Green,
yellow,
orange,
or brick
red

Test for
Reducing
Sugars

These tests are

useful to check
for glucose in
the urine of a
diabetic.

Picric
acid
(yellow)
is
reduced
to
picramic
acid
(mahoga
ny red).

(alphanaphthol
dissolve
d in
ethanol)
Benedicts Test

Benedict
s
Reagent
(CuSO4.5
H20 in
an
alkaline
citrate
solution)

Picric Acid Test

Picric
Acid

Red coloration

Test for
Reducing
Sugars

Nylanders Test

Nylander
s
Reagent
(alkaline
solution
of
Bismuth
subnitrat
e
( Bi(OH)2
NO3 ))

Black solution

Test for
Reducing
Sugars

The black
solution
contains
bismuth.

Bial Orcinol
Test

Bial
Orcinol
Reagent

Pentoses
- blue or
green

Specific Test
(Pentoses and
Hexoses)

Hexosesmuddy
brown to
gray

Mucic Acid Test

Mucic
Acid

White sandy
crystals

Tollen's
reagent
(ammoni
acal
AgNO3)

Silver mirror
formation

Specific Test

Seliwanoffs
Test

Seliwano
ffs
Reagent

Cherry red
color

Specific Test

Taubers
Benzidine Test

Benzidin
e
Solution

Violet color

Iodine Test

Iodine
Solution

blue-black
color

Tollens Test

Specific Test
(Galactose and
Lactose)

(Aldoses)

(Aldoses and
Ketoses)

Specific Test
(Pentoses)

(starch and
simpler
oligosaccharide

Test uses
conc.
HCl as
dehydrat
ing
agent
and
Orcinol
with
trace of
Iron (III)
chloride.

Specific Test
(Starch)

Ketoses are
faster to react
and produce a
cherry red
color.
2 gtt of
sugar
solution
to 1 ml
of
benzidin
e
solution.

Iodine forms a
large complex
polysaccharide
with alphaamylose helix

s and
monosaccharid
es)
Barfoeds Test

Barfoed
s
Reagent
(cupric
acetate
in weak
acetic
acid)

Deep blue
color

present in
starch.

Specific Test
(Monosacchari
des)