The emulsion test that can be carried out quickly and easily in a lab to determine if a sample contains lipids
This test is qualitative - it does not give a quantitative value as to how much lipid may be present in a sample
Lipids are nonpolar molecules that do not dissolve in water but will dissolve in organic solvents such as ethanol
Add ethanol to the sample to be tested, shake to mix and then add the mixture to a test tube of water
If lipids are present, a milky emulsion will form (the solution appears ‘cloudy’); the more lipid present, the more obvious the milky colour of the solution
If no lipid is present, the solution remains clear
The Emulsion test for lipids forms a milky colour.