Description
Bial’s reagent is a chemical solution commonly used in laboratory settings for the detection and quantification of carbohydrates, particularly for distinguishing between various types of sugars. It is primarily composed of orcinol, a colorless crystalline compound, dissolved in concentrated sulfuric acid. When heated in the presence of certain carbohydrates, such as pentoses and aldohexoses, Bial’s reagent reacts with the sugars to produce a characteristic color change, often a green or bluish-green hue. This color change is used as a qualitative and semi-quantitative indicator of the presence of specific types of carbohydrates in a sample.