Introduction to Carbohydrates and their Qualitative Analysis

Experiment # 7: Introduction to Carbohydrates and their Qualitative Analysis
Abstract
Carbohydrates are defined as bio-molecules with a molecular formula of (CH2O)n, where the value of n > 3. Carbohydrates range from simple sugars to complex sugars and serves important functions in our body. Carbohydrates are the most abundant biological molecules found in any living organism. Estimation of carbohydrates has both prognostic and diagnostic value. Hence, carbohydrates are tested both qualitatively and quantitatively.
In the present laboratory experimentations, we evaluated the qualitative analysis of various carbohydrates as mentioned in our biochemistry manual. Such analysis was done to understand the chemical properties of each carbohydrate in relation to their molecular structure and the probable reactions they can undergo.
All the experimentations that we carried out with various qualitative reagents matched the expected results, except for Seliwanoff’s. Since, glucose is an aldose; it might have required more time to become dehydrated to respond to Seliwanoff’s test. Since, the experimentation was stopped early, such disparity between observed and expected results were noted. However, fructose responded to Seliwanoff’s in line with expected results.
Introduction to Carbohydrates and their Qualitative Analysis
Introduction
Carbo…