Boettger-Nylander Test
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
The Boettger-Nylander test is a chemical test for sugar based on the reduction of bismuth hydroxide to metallic bismuth. Boiling the test liquid with the reagent results in yellowing, browning, and the precipitation of a black metallic bismuth deposit in the presence of sugar.
Encyclopedia entry (1928–1936)
BOETTGER-NYLANDER TEST (Boettger, Nylander), a test for sugar, based on the reduction of bismuth hydroxide to metallic bismuth. The liquid under investigation is boiled for 2 minutes with 0.1 volume of the Boettger-Nylander reagent (100 g of a 10% NaOH solution + 4 g of Rochelle salt are heated with 2 g of bismuth nitrate and filtered). In the presence of sugar, the liquid turns yellow and brown, and a black precipitate of metallic bismuth settles out.
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Cite this page
“Boettger-Nylander Test.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/boettger-nylander-test/