Question

The reagent which can be used to distinguish between starch and cellulose is

Answer 1

Starch is formed from alpha glucose, while cellulose is made of beta glucose. The difference in the linkages lends to differences in 3-D structure and function. Starch can be straight or branched and is used as energy storage for plants because it can form compact structures and is easily broken down.

Answer 2

There are 4 methods by which we can distinguish between starch and cellulose -

• Reducing sugar test - This test include benedict's reagent  so it have another name as benedict's test .

       Benedicts reagent + Carbohydrate  → Carboxylic acid  + Cu2O

   

• Analysis of product by hydrolysis - Both starch and cellulose have glucose as monomer , so when they are hydrolysed with acid and broken down they produce same oligosaccherides ie, glucose.

• Iodine Test - Starch has two parts  - amylose + amylopectin  , when iodine solution (KI) is added to satrch , blue black solution appears and cellulose does not give this yest  hence , this can be used to detect starch or distinguish it from cellulose .,

• Molisch test - Carbohydrate are treated with α-napthol in presence of acid .

          All carbohydrate give positive test for it and a purple ring appears at the junction.

only Iodine test is applicable here.

#SPJ2