Iodine Test- Definition, Principle, Procedure, Result, Uses

Home » Biochemistry

The iodine test is a chemical test used to distinguish mono- or disaccharides from certain polysaccharides like amylose, dextrin, and glycogen. This test has a variation termed starch-iodine test that is performed to indicate the presence of glucose made by plants in the leaves.

Table of Contents

Toggle

• Objectives of the Iodine Test
• Principle of Iodine Test
  • Requirements
• Procedure of Iodine Test
• Result and Interpretation of Iodine Test
  • Uses of Iodine Test
  • Limitations of Iodine Test
• References and Sources

Objectives of the Iodine Test

• To detect the presence of polysaccharides, primarily starch.

Principle of Iodine Test

• The iodine test is based on the fact that polyiodide ions form colored adsorption complex with helical chains of glucose residue of amylose (blue-black), dextrin (black), or glycogen (reddish-brown).
• Monosaccharides, disaccharides, and branched polysaccharides like cellulose remain colorless. Amylopectin produces an orange-yellow hue.
• The reagent used in the iodine test is Lugol’s iodine, which is an aqueous solution of elemental iodine and potassium iodide.
• Iodine on its own is insoluble in water. Addition of potassium iodine results in a reversible reaction of the iodine ion with iodine to form a triiodide ion, which further reacts with an iodine molecule to form a pentaiodide ion.
• Bench iodine solution appears brown, whereas, the iodide, triiodide, and pentaiodide ion are colorless.
• It is observed that the helix (coil or spring) structure of the glucose chain is the key to this test.
• Further, the resulting color depends on the length of the glucose chains.
• The triiodide and pentaiodide ions formed are linear and slip inside the helix structure.
• It is believed that the transfer of charge between the helix and the polyiodide ions results in changes in the spacing of the energy levels, which can absorb visible light, giving the complex its color.
• The intensity of the color decreases with the increase in temperature and the presence of water-miscible organic compounds like ethanol.
• On heating, the blue color amylose-iodine complex dissociates but is formed again on cooling because the helical structure is disrupted; thereby amylose loses its iodine binding capacity and the blue color.
• The blue color reappears on cooling due to the recovery of iodine binding capacity due to regaining of the helical structure.

Requirements

1. Reagent

• Lugol’s iodine: 5% elemental iodine is mixed with 10% potassium iodide to form the Lugol’s iodine.
• Test sample

2. Materials Required

• Test tubes
• Test tube stand

3. Equipment

• Water bath

Procedure of Iodine Test

1. Take 1 ml of a given sample in a clean, dry test tube.
2. Take control of 1 ml of distilled water in another tube.
3. Add about 2-3 drops of Lugol’s solution to both the tubes and mix them in a vortex.
4. Observe the appearance of color in the test tubes.
5. Heat the test tubes in the water bath until the color disappears.
6. Take the test tubes out for cooling
7. Note down the appearance of color seen in the test tubes.

Result and Interpretation of Iodine Test

• The appearance of blue-black or purple color represents a positive test, indicating the presence of starch.
• If there is no change in color, the result is negative and indicates the absence of starch.

Uses of Iodine Test

• This test is used to detect the presence of starch in various samples.
• Similarly, this test is performed to test the process of photosynthesis in plants.

Limitations of Iodine Test

• This test cannot be performed under acidic conditions as the starch hydrolyses under such circumstances.
• This test is a qualitative test and doesn’t signify the concentration of starch.

References and Sources

• Tiwari A. (2015). Practical Biochemistry. LAP Lambert Academic Publishing.
• 2% – https://allmedicalstuff.com/barfoeds-test/
• 1% – https://www.scribd.com/document/429888468/Advances-in-Carbohydrate-pdf
• 1% – https://www.coursehero.com/file/p39m2q7c/IKI-Test-experiments-the-presence-of-starch-in-a-solution-if-positive-color/
• 1% – https://libraryofessays.com/lab-report/lap-report-1895512
• <1% – https://allmedtests.com/iodine-test-starch/

About Author

Anupama Sapkota

Anupama Sapkota has a bachelor’s degree (B.Sc.) in Microbiology from St. Xavier's College, Kathmandu, Nepal. She is particularly interested in studies regarding antibiotic resistance with a focus on drug discovery.