Macromolecule Detection Protocol

1. What does each of the results tell you about these samples?

The Benedict’s reagent shows the presence of any monosaccharide or disaccharide such as lactose, maltose, or mannose. The Biuret reagent shows the presence of protein. The iodine will show the presence of starch. With each reagent added to each of the samples corresponding to them, it shows how much may be present in each. The more intense the color, the more of the macromolecule present.

In the detection of reducing sugars, we tested distilled water, diluted sugar, and concentrated sugar with Benedict’s reagent. All three samples were the same color blue. After the reagent was added, sample one became a teal blue color, indicating there were no simple sugars present compared to the initial results, orange for sample one. Sample two turned brown, compared to the initial result for sample two, it also indicates that there were no simple sugars present. Sample three’s initial results is blue, however the result after the reagent was added to the sample indicated that there were no simple sugars present as well as the result of it was the color was red-orange.

In the detection of polypeptides, we tested distilled water, diluted protein, and concentrated protein with Biuret’s reagent. The results show that there is very little presence of protein. Samples one and two showed a light blue and a dark blue, with the outcome being the same as the initial results should have been orange and green. Sample three showed a dark purple, with the outcome turning even darker after the Benedict’s reagent has been added. The initial result was blue.

In the detection of