Testing for reducing sugars

• What is a reducing sugar?


  A reducing sugar is a sugar that can donate electrons or reduce another chemical (benedict's reagent).
• What is benedict's reagent?


  An alkaline solution of copper (11) sulphate.
• What is the first step to test for a reducing sugar?


  Add 2 cm cubed of the food sample to a test tube, make sure it's a liquid.
• What is step 2?

  Add an equal volume of benedict's reagent.
• What is step 3?

  Heat the mixture in a gently boiling water bath for 5 mins.
• What happens to the BR when the test is done?


  It forms an insoluble red precipitate of copper (1) oxide.
• What colour will the solution turn if the test is positive?


  orange-brown colour