Lieberman-Burchard test

The Lieberman-Burchard or acetic anhydride test is used for the determination of cholesterol. The formation of a green or green-blue color after a few minutes is positive.

Lieberman-Burchard is a reagent used in a colorimetric test to detect cholesterol, which gives a deep green color. This color begins as a purplish, pink color and progresses through to a light green then very dark green color. The color is due to the hydroxyl group (-OH) of cholesterol reacting with the reagents and increasing the conjugation of the un-saturation in the adjacent fused ring. Because this test uses acetic anhydride and sulfuric acid as reagents caution must be exercised so as not to receive severe burns.

References

*Campbell, Mary K. & Shawn O. Farrell. Biochemistry. (4th ed.). Singapore: Thomson Asia Pte Ltd. (2005).