Benedict’s test for reducing sugars

• Equipment

  • Food sample
  • A test tube
  • Benedict's solution
  • Hot water bath
  • Thermometer
  • Pipettes
• Step 2

  1. Place in a hot water bath for a few minutes.
• Step 1

  1. Add an equal volume or excess of Benedict's solution to the food sample in a test tube.
• Step 3

  1. If reducing sugar is present, a brick red precipitate is formed. If reducing sugar is absent, the solution remains blue. Note any colour change in a table of results.