Sensitive Benedict test

Abstract

The Benedict reaction is a versatile test for the detection of easily oxidised compounds. The use of 2,2′-bicinchoninic acid to detect the production of copper(I) in the Benedict test is described. This produced a test that is more sensitive than the classical Benedict test. A sensitive spot test for Benedict-positive compounds and a spray for compounds on thin-layer chromatographic plates is also described. Compounds are classified into three categories according to their sensitivity to the proposed Benedict test.