Description
Fouchet’s reagent is a chemical solution used in analytical chemistry for the qualitative detection of bile pigments, specifically bilirubin, in biological samples. It is named after the French chemist Eugène Fouchet, who developed the reagent. Fouchet’s reagent typically consists of a mixture of reagents, including trichloroacetic acid (TCA), ferric chloride (FeCl3), and hydrochloric acid (HCl).
When Fouchet’s reagent is added to a biological specimen containing bilirubin, it reacts to form a green precipitate or coloration, indicating the presence of bilirubin. This reaction is based on the formation of bilirubin-iron complexes, which exhibit characteristic color changes.
Fouchet’s reagent is commonly used in clinical laboratories for the diagnosis of liver disorders, such as hepatitis and cirrhosis, as elevated levels of bilirubin in the blood can indicate liver dysfunction or biliary obstruction.