Bial's reagent consists of 0.4 g orcinol, 200 ml of concentrated hydrochloric acid and 0.5 ml of a 10% solution of ferric chloride. Bial's test is used to distinguish pentoses from hexoses; this distinction is based on the color that develops in the presence of orcinol and iron (III) chloride.

Bial's test is a chemical test for the presence of pentoses. It is named after Manfred Bial, a German physician. The components include orcinol, hydrochloric acid, and ferric chloride. A pentose, if present, will be dehydrated to form furfural which then reacts with the orcinol to generate a colored substance.

Bial's Reagent: 300 mg of orcinol is dissolved in 5 ml ethanol. Add 3.5 ml of this mixture to 100ml of 0.1% solution of FeCL3. 6H2O. The reagent thus formed is to be stored in a dark bottle and used within a couple of hours.

Bial's reagent consists of 0.4 g orcinol, 200 ml of concentrated hydrochloric acid and 0.5 ml of a 10% solution of ferric chloride.

The Principle behind this test is a very simple and easy one. It is just a simple chemical test to check the presence of pentose. Also, I have already mentioned that it uses a reagent made of 3 chemical compounds consisting of two acids and one other element. Bial’s test is basically a qualitative test and it can be done as quantitative by changing some measures.

BIAL'S REAGENT(ORCINOL REAGENT), BIAL'S REAGENT, ORCINOL REAGENT