Qualitative carbohydrate analysis using alkaline potassium ferricyanide

We present here a qualitative test that distinguishes between monosaccharides, reducing disaccharides, non-reducing disaccharides, aldoses and ketoses using alkaline potassium ferricyanide. This is a simple, quick and unambiguous test to distinguish various carbohydrates from one another and is reliable enough to replace other tests reported in standard laboratory textbooks.