Tag: Grease spot test

The brown paper bag test is a classic science experiment used to detect lipids. This simple and effective qualitative method relies on a lipid's inability to evaporate, leaving a distinct translucent spot on the paper after it has dried. Discover exactly how does the grease spot brown paper test work to identify fats and oils.

Lipids are a diverse group of compounds with one common characteristic: they are largely insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents. This unique property is the basis for several simple laboratory tests to identify the presence of lipids in a sample.

Over 95% of dietary lipids are triglycerides, which are oily or greasy substances that do not dissolve in water. A positive observation of lipids in a laboratory setting involves visible changes, such as the formation of a milky emulsion or the appearance of a translucent spot, that confirm the presence of these hydrophobic compounds.