VPB 112: General Veterinary Biochemistry (1+1)

BARFOED’S TEST

• This test distinguishes a reducing monosaccharide from a reducing disaccharide.

Principle

• Monosaccharides are oxidized under acidic conditions.
• Monosaccharides take a shorter time, while disaccharides take a longer time to react.
• Brick red color obtained in this test is due to the formation of cuprous oxide.

Procedure

• To 3 mL of Barfoed’s reagent in a tube add 0.5 mL of test solution.
• Heat the tube and observe the time taken to form the brick red color.