Keller-Kiliani Test
Definition
Cardiac-glycoside test. Glacial acetic acid + FeCl3 layered with H2SO4 gives a reddish-brown ring and blue-green upper layer for 2-deoxysugars.
- Target class
- Cardiac glycosides with 2-deoxysugars
- Reagents
- Glacial acetic acid, ferric chloride, sulphuric acid
- Positive result
- Reddish-brown ring, blue-green upper layer
- Application
- Plant poison screening
Common questions
Which plant poisons is the Keller-Kiliani test used to screen for?+
It is applied to suspected cases involving cardiac glycoside-containing plants such as oleander and, less commonly, other digitalis-type sources, distinguishing them from unrelated alkaloid poisons like aconite or datura that need different colour tests.
What causes the reddish-brown ring in a positive reaction?+
The ferric chloride and acetic acid react with the 2-deoxysugar portion of the glycoside at the interface with the underlying sulphuric acid layer, producing the characteristic ring, while the blue-green colour above develops from the steroid aglycone portion.
Related terms
- Anticholinergic Syndrome
- Dry as a bone, red as a beet, blind as a bat, mad as a hatter, hot as a hare. Hallmark of...
- Cardiac Glycoside
- A steroidal compound that inhibits the sodium-potassium ATPase pump in cardiac myocytes, raising intracellular calcium and producing bradyarrhythmia, AV block and hyperkalaemia....
- Cyanogenic Glycoside
- Sugar-cyanide conjugate (amygdalin in bitter almonds, linamarin in cassava). Hydrolysis releases HCN, which inhibits cytochrome c oxidase.
- Diterpene Alkaloid
- Aconitine and mesaconitine in Aconitum. Bind site 2 of the voltage-gated sodium channel and prevent inactivation. Refractory ventricular arrhythmia, death within hours.
- Toxalbumin / Lectin
- Two-chain plant protein (A-chain catalytic, B-chain lectin) that depurinates a specific adenine in 28S rRNA, inactivating the 60S ribosomal subunit. Abrin and...
- Tropane Alkaloid
- A class of bicyclic nitrogen-containing alkaloids (atropine, hyoscyamine, scopolamine) produced by Solanaceae such as Datura and Atropa belladonna. Acts as a competitive...
- Vitali-Morin Test
- Tropane-alkaloid colour test. Fuming HNO3, evaporate, then alcoholic KOH gives violet with atropine and hyoscyamine. Negative on cocaine.