VI.

Analysis
Proteins are the most abundant macromolecules found within a cell and it is
composed of amino acids connected together by peptide bonds. Amino acids are made up of
several elements such as carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen. In this experiment, the
presence of several elements will be tested using certain procedures.
First is the test for hydrogen, oxygen and carbon. When the casein was heated in a
test tube; there was a light brown smoke that came out, the casein burned and turned to
black, bubbles appeared, and there was moisture in the test tube. The burning of casein
resulting in a black color shows the presence of carbon. This black color results from the
carbon residue left behind and this occurs in all compounds that has carbon. On the other
hand, the presence of hydrogen and oxygen is indicated by the moisture that appeared as
well as the bubbles appearing while burning. The moisture is due to hydrogen reacting with
oxygen to form water and releases heat along the process.
Equation: Casein (C38H57N9O9) + heat  CO2 + H2O
For the test for nitrogen, soda-lime was mixed with casein and heated; and a moist
red litmus paper was placed on the mouth of the test tube while heating. There was a yellow
smoke that appeared, a foul odor somewhat like urine was observed and the red litmus paper
turned into blue. The presence of nitrogen can be indicated by the turning of the red litmus
paper to blue because of the NH3 gas. This is because NH3 gas is a base. The urine like odor
also supports the presence of nitrogen since ammonia has a distinguishable urine like odor.
Equation: CaHNaO2 + casein (C38H57N9O9) + heat  NH3 + CO2 + H2O
For the presence of sulfur and phosphorus, solid fusion was done first. This is in order
to turn sulfur(S) to sulfate(SO4) and phosphorus(P) to phosphate(PO4). In the test for sulfur,
1mL of the filtrate was turned acidic with the use of HCl which was used as the reagent and
then added with BaCl2. White precipitate then formed and this indicates the presence of
sulfur. This white precipitate is BaSO4.
Equation: H + BaCl2  BaSO4 + 2Cl
In the test for phosphorus, a portion of the filtrate was turned acidic with the use of
HNO3 and 3 drops of ammonium molybdate solution was added. The mixture was then heated
to boiling. A yellow precipitate has formed in the test tube and this ppt is (NH4)3PO4*12MoO3
or the ammonium-phospho molybdate.
Equation: 3NH4 +12MoO4 + PO4 + 24H  (NH4)3PO4*12MoO3 + 12H2O
VII. Conclusion
Proteins are macromolecules made up of amino acids and these amino acids are
composed of several elements. The tests conducted showed the presence of 6 elements in
casein: hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, nitrogen, sulfur and phosphorus. The presence of hydrogen
and oxygen was indicated by the moisture and bubbles. Carbon was indicated by the
blackening and burning of casein. Nitrogen was verified because of the turning of red litmus
paper to blue due to NH3 gas and the urine like odor. Sulfur was indicated by the formation
of the white precipitate(BaSO4). And phosphorus was indicated by the presence of yellow
precipitate [(NH4)3PO4*12MoO3].

References:
Gopzonfire. (2019). Elementary Composition of Proteins. [online] Available at:
https://gopzonfire.wordpress.com/2015/07/11/experiment-1-elementary-composition-of-proteins/
[Accessed 3 Jul. 2019].

Answers.com. (2019). Results in elementary composition of proteins. [online] Available at:

https://www.answers.com/Q/Results_in_elementary_composition_of_proteins [Accessed 3 Jul. 2019].

MTFiles. (2019). Elementary Composition of Proteins. [online] Available at:

https://mtfiles.wordpress.com/biochemistry/elementary-composition-of-proteins/ [Accessed 3 Jul.
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