Which of the following gives a positive test with ninhydrin ?
- Polyvinyl chloride
- Cellulose
- Egg albumin
- Starch
Answer
(3) Egg albumin
Solution
Ninhydrin + free amino group of amino acids / proteins ⇒ blue-violet colour (positive test)
(A): PVC (-CH2-CHCl-)n, no –NH2 ⇒ (A) is negative
(B), (D): cellulose, starch are polysaccharides of glucose, no nitrogen ⇒ negative
(C): egg albumin is a protein (made of α-amino acids) ⇒ (C) is positive
Answer: (3)