Test for Lipids

Lipids such as triglycerides and phospholipids are non-polar, so they are insoluble in water but dissolve in organic solvents such as ethanol. The emulsion test uses this difference in solubility.The test for lipids is called the ethanol emulsion test. 5cm³ of ethanol is added to 2cm³ of sample.Shake thoroughly to dissolve any lipid in the sample. Add 5cm³ of water. A cloudy white emulsion indicates the presence of lipid.The 5cm³ added first is ethanol. The lipid must dissolve in the ethanol before any water is added.When water is added, the ethanol mixes with it because ethanol is miscible with water. The lipid is insoluble in water, so it comes out of solution as tiny droplets spread through the liquid. This is an emulsion: a mixture of two liquids that do not dissolve in each other, with droplets of one scattered throughout the other. The droplets scatter light, so the mixture looks milky.If no lipid is present, the mixture stays clear. The test is qualitative: it shows whether lipid is present, not how much. Ethanol is flammable, so keep it away from naked flames.