Tag: Resorcinol

The Seliwanoff test is a biochemical test that uses a timed color reaction to distinguish between ketose and aldose sugars. Specifically, what does Seliwanoff test for and what chemical principles allow it to differentiate between these two classes of carbohydrates based on their functional groups?

According to chemical principles, ketose sugars dehydrate more rapidly than aldose sugars when heated with strong acid. For this reason, when Seliwanoff's reagent is added to a solution containing fructose, a specific and immediate color change occurs that distinguishes it from other sugars like glucose.

The Seliwanoff test, a common method for distinguishing ketoses from aldoses, relies on a chemical reaction involving concentrated hydrochloric acid and resorcinol. Due to the use of these hazardous substances and a heating step, stringent precautions are necessary to protect laboratory personnel and guarantee accurate results.

For over a century, the phenolic compound resorcinol has been used topically in dermatology for its antiseptic and keratolytic properties. When considering what foods are high in resorcinol for skin, it is essential to understand that its medicinal effects are associated with direct skin application, not dietary consumption, and that foods contain powerful, but structurally different, resorcinol derivatives.

A common point of confusion in the world of skincare and chemistry is whether resorcinol is a vitamin, but experts confirm it is not, but rather a phenolic chemical compound. Instead of an essential nutrient, resorcinol is used for its powerful keratolytic and antiseptic properties, which are beneficial in treating various skin conditions like acne and psoriasis.