Testing for proteins in different substances

using the Biuret reagent

Casey Schonhardt
Biol. 1040 Section 1002
Introduction:
Almost every component that composes the human body is
fueled by the macromolecule known as proteins. Macromolecules are
carbon-based molecules that are made of smaller units, called
monomers, linked together to form polymers, or in this case, the
macromolecules which include Carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, and
proteins (Smith 59). Proteins are responsible for strength and growth
of hair, skin, finger and toenails, the structure of cells, and can aid in
transportation of oxygen and other key elements to survival
(http://www2.chemistry.msu.edu). The experiment reported uses the
Biuret Reagent test to determine what substances have proteins in it,
based on the indication of peptide bonds. Peptide bonds are the
monomers that link together to form the protein (Ophardt 2003).
Based on the protein level, the liquid should turn different colors when
reacted with the reagent. Therefore, I have predicted that out of all the
substances (distilled water, starch, egg albumin, glucose, and soft
drink) the egg albumin will change color and contain the most protein.
Materials and Methods:
Test tubes were marked 1-5, then each were filled with 1 mL of
whatever substance corresponded with the number shown in the lab
manual (Mbuthia 2011). 5 drops of the Biuret reagent were added to
each test tube and shaken lightly to mix with the substance. After

Testing for proteins in different substances

using the Biuret reagent
waiting two minutes, the color changes in each test tube were
recorded.

Results:
As shown in Table 1, the substance that most indicated the
presence of peptide bonds in the Egg albumin. Glucose, distilled water,
starch, and soft drink all showed little to no signs of protein
whatsoever, by remaining clear after the reagent was mixed. The soft
drink was redone due to during a yellow color after the first test,
possibly due to cross contamination.
Contents
Distilled Water
Starch
Egg albumin
Glucose
Soft Drink

Color Reaction
Clear
Cloudy
Purple
Clear
Clear

Conclusion
No protein
No protein
Protein
No Protein
No Protein

Discussion:
The results displayed showed that only one of the substances
tested, the egg albumin, contained protein. Distilled water acts as a
control to show no reaction to the Biuret reagent, but many of the
Table 1: The color changes (or lack of) as a result of the Biuret
Reagent indicated whether peptide bonds were present. It was
concluded purple meant the definite presence of a protein
other substances such as starch, glucose, and the soft drink followed
suit. The hypothesis mentioned in the introduction was supported,
however there was many room for errors and it is recommended that

Testing for proteins in different substances

using the Biuret reagent
the experiment is repeated again with different test tubes and
equipment to eliminate the chances of skewed results.
References Cited:
Johnson, George. Essentials of the Living World. 3. New York: McGraw Hill Companies,
2010. 31-59. Print.
Mbuthia, Kamau. Laboratory Manual for Introduction to Biology 1040.. Thomson
Publishing Company, 2011. Print.
Ophardt, Charlies. "Proteins - Introduction." Virtual Chembook. N.p., 2003. Web. 7 Sep
2012. <http://www.elmhurst.edu/~chm/vchembook/565proteins.html>.
. "Proteins - Introduction." Michigan State University. MSU: Department of Chemisty,
n.d. Web. 7 Sep 2012. <http://www.chemistry.msu.edu>.