A chemical test is a quantitative or qualitative process that is intended to prove the existence or to measure a chemical compound and or chemical group with the help of a reactant.To chemical test carbohydrate, there are a number of tests that can be conducted to determine if a sample contains carbohydrates and if it does, there are further tests that can be carried out to classify and identify it. The Molisch Test, The Iodine/Potassium Iodide Test, Benedict’s Test, Barfoed’s Test, Seliwanoff’s Test and Bial’s Test are chemical test carbohydrate.

The Molisch’s Test is a sensitive chemical test carbohydrate which was discovered by the Austrian botanist Hans Molisch. Sulfuric acid desiccates the carbohydrate to produce an aldehyde which is compacted with two molecules of phenol that results in a purple or red colored compound. The sample is combined with a small amount of Molisch’s reagent, which is a-naphthol dissolved in ethanol, in a test tube. A small amount of concentrated sulfuric acid is gradually poured to the mixture along the wall of the test tube without mixing to generate a bottom layer.If a purple ring appears at the cross point between the acid and the test layers, a positive reaction is indicated.Carbohydrates and monosaccharides will indicate a rapid positive test result in chemical test carbohydrate although disaccharides and polysaccharides has a much slower reaction.

The Barfoed’s Test is a chemical test carbohydrate that can be used to identify the existence of monosaccharides in the sample.Placing one ml of a sample solution in a test tube, 3 ml of Barfoed’s reagent, a solution of acetic acid and acetate cupric solution are added. Heat the solution in a boiling water bath for three minutes and if a formation of a reddish precipitate appears, it tests positive for monosaccharides.

Named after the American chemist Stanley Rossiter Benedict,one of the chemical test carbohydrate utilized to detect the existence of reducing sugars is the Benedict’s test.
Place one ml of the sample solution in a test tube and add 2 ml of Benedict’s reagent which is a solution of sodium citrate and sodium carbonate that is mixed with a solution of copper sulfate.Once the solution is heated in a boiling water bath for three minutes, a reddish precipitate should form within three minutes if it tests positive.

Primarily, researchers perform chemical test carbohydrates to examine the different reactions of carbohydrates with the reagents to categorize and detect its compounds.