Gmelin Test
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
The Gmelin test is a chemical reaction used to detect bile pigments by forming colored rings when bile pigments are layered on concentrated nitric acid. The test is based on the formation of colored oxidation products of bilirubin.
Encyclopedia article (1928–1936)
Gmelin test (Gmelin) for bile pigments. If a solution of bile pigments is carefully layered on concentrated nitric acid, which has been left in the light and therefore contains an admixture of nitrous acid, so that the liquids do not mix, then at the point of contact of both liquids, a series of colored rings is formed, arranged in the following order: at the bottom, in the nitric acid - orange, above - red, then violet, blue and green. The reaction is based on the formation of colored oxidation products of bilirubin. Bile pigments are detected even in a concentration of 1:80,000. The presence of blood pigments or a large amount of urobilin in the urine may interfere with the G. t. For the detection of bile pigments in urine, a modification proposed by Rosenbach is convenient: the urine is filtered through a paper filter, the filter is unfolded, slightly dried, and a drop of strong nitric acid is applied to it. Concentric rings appear around the drop, colored (counting from inside to outside) orange, red, violet, blue and green.
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Cite this page
“Gmelin Test.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/gmelin-test/