How would you test the presence of starch in leaves?


The presence of starch(carbohydrate) in leaves can be tested by the iodine test.

Here, are the steps to test the presence of starch in leaves:

Step1- Pluck a green leaf from a plant that has been exposed to sunlight for a few hours.

Step2- Fill a beaker with half water and heat the water until it boils.
Step3- Dip the leaf in boiling water and boil for a few minutes to break the wall of the leaf cell. 
Step4- Remove the chlorophyll from the leaf by boiling it in alcohol for a few minutes.
Step5- Soak the leaf in hot water to soften the cells of the leaf.
Step6- Now, add a few drops of iodine solution onto the leaf to test for the starch.
Step7- The colour of the leaf changes into blue-black colour after adding iodine to it, which shows the presence of starch in it.

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Simply Easy Learning

Updated on: 10-Oct-2022

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