Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution => Topic started by: thedoc on 31/05/2016 15:50:01

Title: Could we determine leaf content using chromatography and urine tests?
Post by: thedoc on 31/05/2016 15:50:01

Jenny asked the Naked Scientists:
   What about trying to determine protein and sugar content in plant leaves using a combination of thin layer chromatography and those semi quantitative multi purpose dip sticks used to test human urine samples?
What do you think?

Title: Re: Could we determine leaf content using chromatography and urine tests?
Post by: RD on 31/05/2016 18:35:47

Quote from: Jenny on 31/05/2016 15:50:01

What about trying to determine ... sugar content in plant leaves using ... those semi quantitative multi purpose dip sticks used to test human urine samples?

The sugar in the urine of diabetics is the monosaccharide glucose,
IIRC the sugar in plant sap is mainly the disaccharide sucrose.

A chemical reaction to detect glucose won't necessarily detect sucrose ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8PYiUCkFhE (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8PYiUCkFhE)