Qualitative estimation of cynide in biological material

QUALITATIVE ESTIMATION OF CYANIDE IN BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL

Aim

  • To detect cyanide in biological material (Copper – Guaiac test)

Principle

  • Acidification of biological fluid liberates cyanide, which interacts with suitable reagents on the filter paper to form chromophores.

Materials

  • Tartaric acid
  • copper sulfate
  • Alcohol
  • Guaiacol
  • Filter paper
  • 100 ml flask and
  • Heater

Procedure

  • Take 50 g of finely ground tissue or stomach contents in a 100 ml flask and acidify the contents with tartaric acid
  • Take a filter paper previously moistened with 10 % guaiacol in alcohol and 0.1% of aqueous copper sulfate solution
  • Hang the filter paper in the flask so that it does not touch the contents in the flask, plug the mouth of flask and warm gently
  • Allow it to stand for 30 minutes
  • Observe the colour of the paper

Inference

  • If cyanide is present, blue colour develops
Last modified: Wednesday, 16 May 2012, 9:17 AM