LACTOSE CONTENT TEST (BENEDICT’S TEST)

 LACTOSE CONTENT TEST (BENEDICT’S TEST)

AIM:
To detect and estimate lactose (a reducing sugar) in milk.

APPARATUS:
Test tubes, water bath, beaker, dropper.

REAGENT:
Benedict’s reagent.

PRINCIPLE:
Lactose is a reducing sugar and reacts with Benedict’s reagent to form a colored precipitate depending on the concentration.

PROCEDURE:

• Add 5ml of milk sample to a test tube.

• Add 5ml of Benedict’s reagent.

• Heat in boiling water bath for 5 minutes.

• Observe color change from blue to green, yellow, or brick-red.

CALCULATION:
Compare precipitate color to a standard chart to estimate % lactose.