Acid-Base Properties of Amino Acids
Denaturing and Precipitating Proteins
Enzymatic Activity of Glucose Oxidase
HIV-1 Protease: An Enzyme at Work
Studying Enzyme Kinetics Using Catalase
Binding of Coomassie Brilliant Blue to Egg Albumin
Breaking Down Sucrose Using Invertase
Color Reactions of Amino Acids
Effect of pH on Protein Solubility
Enzyme Catalyzed Decomposition of Hydrogen Peroxide
Enzyme kinetics: Experiments With Catalase
Halting the Briggs-Rauscher Reaction
Hydrolysis of Wool in Strong Base
Dyeing of Wool With Martius Yellow
Color Reactions of Amino Acids
Description: The presence of amino acids can be detected using the reagent ninhydrin. Ninhydrin reacts with amino acids to give a blue-violet colored species. Certain amino acids can also be identified with specific color reagents. When histidine reacts with diazosulfanilic acid, a cherry red color is observed.
Source: Kristin Johnson
Year: 1999 Vol: N/A Page: N/A
Keywords: Amino acid, Ninhydrin, Histidine, Colored Species
Rating: 
Hazard: Medium
- Acute toxicity hazard
- Flammability hazard
- Skin corrosion hazard
- Eye irritation
- Corrosive to metals
Effectiveness: Average
- Results are observable with guidance
- Mild effects are seen by audience
- Noticeable contrast between systems behavior
- Time to effects is low
- Primary effects are observed
Difficulty: Medium
- Use of reactive substances
- Handling of organic chemicals
- Procedures with intermediate steps
- Some careful manipulations required
Safety Precautions:
- Eye protection required
- Gloves required
- Perform in a well-ventilated area
- Absorbent materials on hand
- Sodium bicarbonate on hand
- Avoid exposure to droplets, mists, or vapors
- Prevent release of reagents to the environment
Class: Biochemistry, Organic Chemistry
Division: General, Biological Chemistry
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