Benedict's test

• Tests for reducing sugars mostly in simple carbohydrates

1. Main reagent is Benedict's solution
2. Reducing sugars reduce copper(II) ions to copper(I), a brick-red precipitate
3. Sucrose is not a reducing sugar
4. Procedure:
   1. Heat test tube containing Benedict's solution and sample solution in a boiling water bath for 5 minutes
   2. If the sample is an insoluble solid, crush it or cut it into small pieces before adding water and Benedict's solution
   3. Colour of the precipitate formed changes from green to orange to brick-red with increasing amounts of reducing sugars present