COLERIDGE & PARRY SCHOOL
SCIENCE DEPARTMENT
INTEGRATED SCIENCE LAB
TITLE: Nutrition – Food Test
AIM: To identify the different nutrients present in some common foods and an unknown.
MATERIALS
APPARATUS
4 Test-Tubes, mortar & pestle, water bath,
METHOD
Place the food samples in a mortar. Add 2 cm3 of water. Crush mixture with a pestle.
Carry out the following food tests.
(a) Proteins (Biuret Test)
Place 2 cm3 of the food sample in a test tube
Add three drops of Biuret reagent.
Shake the mixture and observe for a positive colour change.
(b) Reducing Sugar (Benedict’s Test)
Place 2 cm3 of the food sample in a test tube
Add three drops of Benedict’s solution and shake.
Warm the mixture in a water bath.
Observe a positive colour change
(c) Starch (Iodine Test)
Place 2 cm3 of the food sample in a test tube
Add a few drops of iodine solution.
Observe a positive colour change.
(d) Fats (Emulsion Test)
Place 1 cm3 of the food sample in a test tube.
Add 1 cm3 of water followed by 1 cm3 of ethanol,
Shake the mixture vigorously.
State if the mixture becomes cloudy.
RESULTS
Record your observations [present/absent] in the table below for the food test carried out,
on the food samples. (SEE THE TEXT FOR THE POSITIVE COLOUR CHANGE)
FOOD SAMPLE Biuret Test PROTEIN Benedict’s Test Iodine Test Emulsion Test
REDUCING SUGAR STARCH LIPIDS
BREAD
APPLE
Unknown
GIve this table a title. (Ie what is it showing?) [2 marks]
DISCUSSION
What is nutrition? Why is food important? Explain why proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins and minerals are
important in our diet? Explain why it is important to consume foods which are high in water and fiber (roughage).
CONCLUSION
State what nutrients are present in the foods tested.