{"id":7071,"date":"2022-03-26T17:28:00","date_gmt":"2022-03-26T17:28:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/laboratoryinfo.com\/?p=7071"},"modified":"2022-03-30T18:03:13","modified_gmt":"2022-03-30T18:03:13","slug":"mayers-test-for-alkaloids-procedure","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/laboratoryinfo.com\/mayers-test-for-alkaloids-procedure\/","title":{"rendered":"Mayer\u2019s Test for alkaloids &#8211; Procedure, Mechanism, Results, Uses"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Mayer&#8217;s Test was first given by a German Chemist, Julius Robert von Mayer (1814-1878). This test detects alkaloids in the given sample from natural products. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The reaction between Mayer&#8217;s reagent and alkaloid and formation of coordinate covalent bond results in cream-colored precipitates.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id6113_3b9ebd-8c .kb-table-of-content-wrap{padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);background-color:#ecf2f7;}.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id6113_3b9ebd-8c .kb-table-of-contents-title-wrap{padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id6113_3b9ebd-8c .kb-table-of-contents-title{font-weight:regular;font-style:normal;}.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id6113_3b9ebd-8c .kb-table-of-content-wrap .kb-table-of-content-list{font-weight:regular;font-style:normal;margin-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px;}.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id6113_3b9ebd-8c .kb-toggle-icon-style-basiccircle .kb-table-of-contents-icon-trigger:after, .kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id6113_3b9ebd-8c .kb-toggle-icon-style-basiccircle .kb-table-of-contents-icon-trigger:before, .kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id6113_3b9ebd-8c .kb-toggle-icon-style-arrowcircle .kb-table-of-contents-icon-trigger:after, .kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id6113_3b9ebd-8c .kb-toggle-icon-style-arrowcircle .kb-table-of-contents-icon-trigger:before, .kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id6113_3b9ebd-8c .kb-toggle-icon-style-xclosecircle .kb-table-of-contents-icon-trigger:after, .kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id6113_3b9ebd-8c .kb-toggle-icon-style-xclosecircle .kb-table-of-contents-icon-trigger:before{background-color:#ecf2f7;}<\/style>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-are-alkaloids\">What are Alkaloids<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Alkaloids are essential organic compounds that occur naturally in plants and animals and contain a minimum of one nitrogen atom in their structure. Common examples of Alkaloids are morphine, quinine, nicotine and so on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"principle-of-mayer-s-test\">Principle of Mayer\u2019s Test<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Mayer&#8217;s reagent is used in this test to detect the presence of alkaloids. It is prepared by dissolving mercuric chloride and potassium iodide in water. <\/li><li>A complex is formed between alkaloid and Mayer&#8217;s reagent in Mayer&#8217;s Test. <\/li><li>The nitrogen atom in the alkaloids has a lone pair of electrons that facilitates the formation of a coordinate covalent bond with a metal ion.\u00a0<\/li><li>In this case, the nitrogen atom of alkaloid forms a coordinate covalent bond with the potassium ion of Mayer&#8217;s reagent, also known as potassium tetraiodomercurate. <\/li><li>A cream-colored complex is created that appears in the form of precipitates. Precipitate formation confirms the presence of alkaloid in the sample.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"laboratory-requirements-for-mayer-s-test\">Laboratory Requirements for Mayer\u2019s Test<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Following are some of the materials and reagent required for performing Mayer\u2019s Test.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"apparatus-used\">Apparatus used<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Test Tubes<\/li><li>Test Tube Holders<\/li><li>Test Tube Stand<\/li><li>Weighing Balance<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"required-chemicals\">Required Chemicals<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Potassium Iodide<\/li><li>Mercuric Chloride<\/li><li>Distilled Water<\/li><li>Plant Sample<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"preparation-of-mayer-s-reagent\">Preparation of Mayer\u2019s reagent (Formula)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\"><p>Mix 1.3 grams of mercuric chloride and 5 grams of potassium iodide by weighing it on a weighing balance. Dissolve it in enough distilled water to make the total volume up to 100ml. Mix properly to form a uniform solution.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"829\" height=\"266\" src=\"http:\/\/laboratoryinfo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Mayers-Reagent-can-be-prepared-from-Mercury-and-Potassium-Iodide.jpg\" alt=\"Mayer\u2019s Reagent can be prepared from Mercury and Potassium Iodide\" class=\"wp-image-7363\" srcset=\"https:\/\/laboratoryinfo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Mayers-Reagent-can-be-prepared-from-Mercury-and-Potassium-Iodide.jpg 829w, https:\/\/laboratoryinfo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Mayers-Reagent-can-be-prepared-from-Mercury-and-Potassium-Iodide-300x96.jpg 300w, https:\/\/laboratoryinfo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Mayers-Reagent-can-be-prepared-from-Mercury-and-Potassium-Iodide-768x246.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 829px) 100vw, 829px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"protocol\">Protocol<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Take 1ml of plant extract in a test tube.<\/li><li>Add 1ml of potassium mercuric iodide solution (Mayer&#8217;s reagent) to this test tube.<\/li><li>Shake gently to mix correctly.<\/li><li>Observe the formation of precipitates in the test tube.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"interpretation-of-results\">Interpretation of results<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>The formation of precipitates of cream color in the test tube will indicate a positive result. Thus, alkaloids are present in the given plant sample.<\/li><li>No precipitate formation indicates the absence of alkaloids in the test sample.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"211\" src=\"http:\/\/laboratoryinfo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Figure-Formation-of-cream-or-whitish-precipitates-right-indicating-a-positive-result.-The-left-picture-shows-a-negative-outcome..jpg\" alt=\"Figure: mayer's test Formation of cream or whitish precipitates right indicating a positive result. The left picture shows a negative outcome.\" class=\"wp-image-7072\" srcset=\"https:\/\/laboratoryinfo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Figure-Formation-of-cream-or-whitish-precipitates-right-indicating-a-positive-result.-The-left-picture-shows-a-negative-outcome..jpg 500w, https:\/\/laboratoryinfo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Figure-Formation-of-cream-or-whitish-precipitates-right-indicating-a-positive-result.-The-left-picture-shows-a-negative-outcome.-300x127.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><figcaption><strong><em>Figure: Formation of cream or whitish precipitates (right) indicating a positive result. The left picture shows a negative outcome.<\/em><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"benefits-of-mayer-s-test\">Benefits of Mayer\u2019s Test<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>This test is easier to perform by using a smaller number of reagents and equipment.<\/li><li>It is used to detect alkaloids in the sample from plants or animal for further usage, mainly in pharmaceutical companies.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"precautions\">Precautions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>The area where the test is performed must be appropriately ventilated.<\/li><li>Use foam, dry powder, water spray, or clay for cleaning up this chemical in the case of spilling.<\/li><li>Wash hands immediately after performing Mayer&#8217;s Test.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"frequently-asked-questions\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n\n\n<div id=\"rank-math-faq\" class=\"rank-math-block\">\n<div class=\"rank-math-list \">\n<div id=\"faq-question-1643908639514\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">Q1. What are the effects of Alkaloids?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>These compounds have specific physiological effects on the human body. These are used for antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anesthetic, hypnotic, and psychotropic.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1643908648393\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">Q2. What are the sources of Alkaloids?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>These are usually obtained from natural resources. Plants and animals products are the significant resources of Alkaloids.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1643908663680\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">Q3. What are some other tests for the detection of Alkaloids?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Other tests to detect the presence of Alkaloids in the given sample are:<br \/>1.<strong> <\/strong>Dragendorff\u2019s Test<br \/>2. Wagner\u2019s Test<br \/>3. Marme\u2019 Test<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1643908709760\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">Q4. What do you mean by Alkaloid poisoning?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Alkaloid poisoning is regarded as an illness that results from the excessive intake of Alkaloids by using animal and plants products. It can result in a severe medical emergency like liver damage.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1643908719511\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">Q5. Which alkaloid is used as an anesthetic reagent?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Scopolamine or hyoscine depress the activity of the central nervous system. So, these are widely used as anesthesia during surgery.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1643908730007\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">Q6. What is the result of Mayer&#8217;s Test?\u00a0<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>The positive result is indicated by the formation of white or cream precipitates in the sample tube.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>References<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol><li><em>https:\/\/media.neliti.com\/preliminary-phytochemical-screening-qual-f501b8b2.pdf<\/em><\/li><li><em>http:\/\/new.ijlbpr.com\/jlbpradmin\/upload\/ijlbpr_51d44e989b00d.pdf<\/em><\/li><li><em>https:\/\/www.slideshare.net\/alexmpharm\/alkaloids-134426257&nbsp;<\/em><\/li><li><em>https:\/\/noteshippo.com\/mayers-alkaloids-detection-test-principle-reagents-and-procedure\/<\/em><\/li><li><em>https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Mayer%27s_reagent<\/em><\/li><li><em>http:\/\/www.sigmaaldrich.com\/catalog\/ProductDetail<\/em><\/li><\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Mayer&#8217;s Test was first given by a German Chemist, Julius Robert von Mayer (1814-1878). This test detects alkaloids in the given sample from natural products. The reaction between Mayer&#8217;s reagent and alkaloid and formation of coordinate covalent bond results in cream-colored precipitates. What are Alkaloids Alkaloids are essential organic compounds that occur naturally in plants&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":7072,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_lock_modified_date":false,"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/laboratoryinfo.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7071"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/laboratoryinfo.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/laboratoryinfo.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/laboratoryinfo.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/laboratoryinfo.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7071"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/laboratoryinfo.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7071\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/laboratoryinfo.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7072"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/laboratoryinfo.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7071"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/laboratoryinfo.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7071"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/laboratoryinfo.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7071"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}