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Anthrone Test

Definition

Anthrone reagent in concentrated sulphuric acid gives a blue-green colour with sucrose, glucose and other carbohydrates. Used when the bribe is a sweetened liquid, a sugar-coated article, or in food-adulteration trap cases.

Reagent
Anthrone in concentrated sulphuric acid
Positive result
Blue-green colour
Detects
Sucrose, glucose, other carbohydrates
Used in
Trap case and food-adulteration chemical analysis

Common questions

Why would investigators test for carbohydrates in a bribery trap case?+

When the marked bribe money or article has been dipped in or replaced by a sweetened substance to disguise the transaction, a positive anthrone reaction on the recovered item helps corroborate that the trap substance was handled as alleged.

How does the anthrone test differ from the phenolphthalein test used in the same trap-case context?+

Phenolphthalein testing targets sodium carbonate powder applied to currency to detect handling by the accused, while the anthrone test targets sugar content, so the two tests screen for entirely different trap substances depending on the case.

Related terms

Form 95 / Sealed PB
Personal-bag forwarding form used by ACB / CBI to transmit sealed exhibits (tainted notes, hand-wash bottle, panchnama articles) to the State FSL...
Phenolphthalein Test
Currency notes or articles are dusted with phenolphthalein powder before the trap. After acceptance, the suspect's right-hand wash in dilute sodium carbonate...
Section 7 PC Act 1988
Offence of a public servant accepting or attempting to accept any undue advantage (illegal gratification) other than legal remuneration. The substantive offence...
Sodium Carbonate Hand Wash
Mildly alkaline (about pH 11) wash solution collected in a sealed glass bottle from the suspect's hand or pocket. Alkalinity is needed...
Trap Case
A pre-arranged sting operation under the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 in which a complainant pays marked tainted money or a marked...

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