FST 600295 Analytical Study & Experiments I

FST 60293 Food Biochemistry

Observation of Plant and Animal Cells under a Microscope

• Objective: To observe the differences between plant cells (e.g., onion skin cells) and animal cells (e.g., cheek epithelial cells) under a microscope after staining.

• Materials: Onion, cheek swab, microscope, methylene blue (for animal cells), iodine (for plant cells).

Extraction and Observation of Chloroplasts from Plant Cells

• Objective: To isolate and observe chloroplasts from spinach or other green leaves.

• Materials: Spinach leaves, blender, centrifuge, microscope.

Cell Fractionation and Organelle Isolation

• Objective: To isolate cellular organelles (e.g., nucleus, mitochondria) from animal or plant cells using centrifugation.

• Materials: Homogenizer, centrifuge, liver or spinach tissue, buffer solutions.

Measurement of Enzyme Activity in Mitochondria (e.g., Succinate Dehydrogenase)

• Objective: To measure the activity of succinate dehydrogenase (a mitochondrial enzyme) using a colorimetric assay.

• Materials: Mitochondrial extract, succinate, DCPIP.

Observation of Mitosis in Plant Cells (e.g., Onion Root Tip)

• Objective: To observe and identify the stages of mitosis (prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase) in plant cells from onion root tips.

• Materials: Onion root tips, hydrochloric acid, aceto-orcein stain, microscope.

Observation of Meiosis in Flowering Plant Anthers

• Objective: To observe the stages of meiosis in the pollen mother cells from the anthers of a flowering plant.

• Materials: Flower anthers, acetocarmine stain, microscope.

Isolation of Biomolecules from Natural Foods

• Objective: To extract and identify biomolecules (proteins, carbohydrates, lipids) from natural food samples (e.g., fruits, vegetables).

pH Measurement of Different Food Samples

• Objective: To measure the pH of various food samples (e.g., lemon juice, milk, soda) and observe the acidic or basic nature.

Titration of Acids and Bases to Determine pH Buffers

• Objective: To perform titration of a strong acid (HCl) and strong base (NaOH) with a buffer solution to observe buffering capacity.

Determination of Concentration using Spectrophotometry

• Objective: To determine the concentration of a solution by using a spectrophotometer (Beer-Lambert Law).

Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Carbohydrates in Food Samples

• Objective: To identify presence of carbohydrates in food and quantify it using Benedict's reagent or Fehling’s test.

Extraction and Quantification of Proteins from Cells

• Objective: To extract and quantify proteins from a given sample using the Bradford or Lowry method.

Cellular Structure Observation under the Microscope

• Objective: To observe different cellular structures (nucleus, cell membrane, mitochondria) under a microscope using cell staining techniques.

Solubility of Biomolecules in Water and Organic Solvents

• Objective: To observe the solubility of different biomolecules (lipids, carbohydrates, proteins) in water and organic solvents.

Qualitative Test for Reducing Sugars (Benedict’s Test)

• Objective: To detect the presence of reducing sugars (monosaccharides and some disaccharides) in food samples.

Quantitative Estimation of Glucose using a Glucometer or Colorimetric Assay

• Objective: To measure the concentration of glucose in a sample using a glucose assay kit or glucometer.

Iodine Test for Starch

• Objective: To detect the presence of starch (a polysaccharide) in various food samples by observing the color change with iodine.

Hydrolysis of Disaccharides (Sucrose or Lactose)

• Objective: To hydrolyze disaccharides into their monosaccharide components using acidic or enzymatic hydrolysis.

Quantification of Total Carbohydrates using Phenol-Sulfuric Acid Method

• Objective: To determine the total carbohydrate content in a sample using the phenol-sulfuric acid assay.

Qualitative Test for Proteins (Biuret Test)

• Objective: To detect the presence of proteins in a sample using the Biuret reagent, which reacts with peptide bonds.

Determination of Protein Concentration using Bradford Assay

• Objective: To quantify the concentration of proteins in a sample using the Bradford reagent, which binds to proteins and produces a color change.

Separation of Amino Acids by Paper Chromatography

• Objective: To separate and identify individual amino acids in a mixture using paper chromatography and visualize them using ninhydrin reagent.

Enzyme Activity Assay (Amylase Activity on Starch)

• Objective: To measure the activity of the enzyme amylase on starch and observe the breakdown of starch into simpler sugars.

Electrophoresis of Proteins: Separation of proteins based on size and charge using SDS-PAGE.

Effect of pH and Temperature on Enzyme Activity: Investigating how environmental factors like pH and temperature influence the activity of enzymes.

Qualitative Test for Lipids (Sudan III or IV Test)

• Objective: To detect the presence of lipids in food samples using Sudan III or IV stain, which binds to lipids and gives a red/orange color.

Extraction and Identification of Lipids from Food Samples

• Objective: To extract lipids from various food samples (e.g., nuts, seeds, butter) using an organic solvent (e.g., ether) and identify them through simple tests.

Determination of Fatty Acid Composition using Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC)

• Objective: To separate and identify different fatty acids in a lipid sample using TLC.

Saponification of Fats (Soap Formation)

• Objective: To hydrolyze a fat (e.g., triglyceride) using a strong base (NaOH) to produce soap and glycerol.

Quantification of Total Lipids using Gravimetric Analysis

• Objective: To quantify the total lipid content in a given sample by extracting lipids and weighing the extracted portion.

Determination of Iodine Value of Fats and Oils

• Objective: To determine the degree of unsaturation (double bonds) in fats or oils by measuring the iodine value (amount of iodine absorbed).

Isolation of DNA from Plant Cells (e.g., Strawberries or Bananas)

• Objective: To isolate DNA from plant cells using a simple extraction method involving detergent, salt, and alcohol precipitation.

Gel Electrophoresis of DNA

• Objective: To separate DNA fragments based on size using agarose gel electrophoresis and visualize them under UV light after staining with a DNA-binding dye (e.g., ethidium bromide or SYBR Green).

RNA Extraction and Visualization

• Objective: To extract RNA from biological samples (e.g., plant or animal tissue) using an RNA extraction kit and visualize it using gel electrophoresis.

In Vitro Transcription and Translation Simulation

• Objective: To simulate the processes of transcription and translation using an in vitro system, allowing observation of protein synthesis from a DNA or RNA template.

Measurement of Cholesterol Levels in Blood or Food: Using colorimetric methods to quantify cholesterol in biological samples.

Effect of Temperature and pH on DNA Stability: Testing the denaturation and renaturation of DNA under various conditions to study its structural properties.

Qualitative Test for Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) in Fruits and Vegetables

• Objective: To detect the presence and approximate amount of vitamin C in different food samples using the DCPIP (2,6-dichlorophenol-indophenol) colorimetric test.

Determination of Vitamin A (Fat-Soluble) in Food using UV-Vis Spectrophotometry

• Objective: To quantify the amount of vitamin A in food samples (e.g., carrots or fish oil) using spectrophotometry.

Titration of Niacin (Vitamin B3) in Food Samples

• Objective: To determine the concentration of niacin in different food samples through a titration method.

Estimation of Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) Content in Milk

• Objective: To estimate the concentration of riboflavin in milk samples using fluorometric analysis.

Effect of Temperature and pH on Coenzyme Activity

• Objective: To study how temperature and pH affect the activity of a coenzyme-dependent enzyme, such as NAD+ in lactate dehydrogenase activity.

Enzyme-Catalyzed Reactions with Coenzyme NAD+/NADH

• Objective: To observe the role of NAD+/NADH in redox reactions, such as the conversion of ethanol to acetaldehyde using alcohol dehydrogenase.

Quantification of Insulin Levels in Blood Samples using ELISA

• Objective: To measure the concentration of insulin (a peptide hormone) in blood samples using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Effect of Adrenaline on Heart Rate in Daphnia (Water Flea)

• Objective: To observe the physiological effects of adrenaline (epinephrine) on the heart rate of Daphnia as a model organism.

Extraction and Detection of Steroid Hormones (e.g., Cortisol)

• Objective: To extract and measure cortisol levels from biological samples (e.g., saliva or blood) using chromatography or immunoassays.

Study of Thyroid Hormone Effects on Metabolic Rate in Mice

• Objective: To investigate how thyroid hormones (T3, T4) affect the metabolic rate of mice by measuring oxygen consumption.

Vitamin D Quantification in Blood Serum using Immunoassay: Measure the concentration of vitamin D, a fat-soluble vitamin, in blood samples.

Study of Hormonal Regulation of Blood Glucose (Effect of Insulin and Glucagon): Observe changes in blood glucose levels after administering insulin and glucagon to a model organism.

Measurement of ATP Production during Glycolysis

• Objective: To measure the production of ATP in glycolysis using yeast cells or muscle tissue and an ATP assay.

Measurement of Oxygen Consumption during Cellular Respiration (Respirometry)

• Objective: To measure the rate of oxygen consumption in a biological sample (e.g., yeast or isolated mitochondria) as an indicator of cellular respiration.

Study of NADH and FADH2 Production in the Krebs Cycle

• Objective: To quantify the production of NADH and FADH2 during the Krebs cycle using specific detection assays in isolated mitochondria.

Demonstration of Electron Transport Chain (ETC) Activity using Mitochondrial Preparation

• Objective: To isolate mitochondria from tissue (e.g., liver) and measure the activity of the ETC by monitoring changes in oxygen concentration and ATP production.

Quantification of Lactate Production during Anaerobic Respiration

• Objective: To measure lactate production in muscle cells or microorganisms under anaerobic conditions.

Estimation of Glucose Utilization in Cells (Glycolysis)

• Objective: To quantify glucose consumption by cells during glycolysis using a glucose oxidase assay.

In Vitro Biosynthesis of Polysaccharides (Starch or Glycogen)

• Objective: To synthesize polysaccharides like starch or glycogen in vitro using appropriate enzymes (e.g., glycogen synthase) and monitor the reaction.

In Vitro Protein Synthesis (Transcription and Translation)

• Objective: To simulate the process of protein synthesis in a cell-free system using RNA templates and ribosomal extracts, and to monitor peptide formation.

Extraction and Quantification of Lipids Synthesized by Cells

• Objective: To measure lipid biosynthesis in cultured cells by tracing the incorporation of labeled acetate or fatty acids into lipids.

Extraction and Identification of Secondary Metabolites from Plants (e.g., Alkaloids, Flavonoids)

• Objective: To extract and identify secondary metabolites like alkaloids or flavonoids from plant samples using solvent extraction and chromatographic techniques.

Measurement of Energy Storage Molecules (e.g., Glycogen) in Liver or Muscle Tissue: Quantify stored glycogen in tissues using an enzymatic or colorimetric assay.