Table 1 Test for the detection of phytochemicals.
From: Traditional knowledge and phytochemical screening of plants used in snakebite prevention in Benin
Phytochemical compounds | Test | Observations (positive results) |
|---|---|---|
Alkaloids | Mayer’s test | Yellowish-white precipitate |
Dragendorff’s test | Orange-red precipitate | |
Tannins | Ferric chloride test | Blue-black coloration |
Catechic tannins | Stiasny’s test | Precipitated pink |
Gallic tannins | Ferric chloride and saturation with sodium acetate | blue tint |
Flavones | Shinoda test with magnesium powder | Orange coloration |
Anthocyanins | Hydrochloric acid and 50% ammonia | Purplish red coloration |
leuco-anthocyanins | Shinoda’s test | Brown red coloration |
Quinonic derivatives | Borntrager’s test | pink or purplish red coloration |
Saponosides | Foam index test | Significant presence of foam of at least 1Â cm |
Triterpenoids | Liebermann–Burchard test | Blue, green or purple Coloration |
Steroids | Kedde’s test | Red wine coloration |
Mucilages | Absolute alcohol test | Flaky precipitate |
Reductive compounds | Fehling liquor test | Brick red precipitate |
Free anthracenes | Test with chloroform and ammonia | No red coloring |