Final answer:
The Benedict's test is used to test for reducing sugars, such as glucose in urine, through the reduction of copper ions resulting in a color change. The specific color corresponds to the concentration of sugar present.
Step-by-step explanation:
The test used to test reducing sugar is the Benedict's test. This is a semi-quantitative method that is most commonly used for detecting the presence and concentration of reducing sugars like glucose in urine. The principle behind the Benedict's test is the reduction of copper salts in an alkaline medium. When reducing sugars are present, they reduce copper(II) ions (Cu2+) from the Benedict's reagent to copper(I) oxide (Cu2O), resulting in a change of color from blue to green, yellow, orange or brick red, depending on the amount of sugar present. The complete procedure for this test involves adding the Benedict's reagent to a sample and heating it. A color change indicates a positive result, with the specific color indicating the percentage of reducing sugar present. This makes the Benedict's test a valuable preliminary method for the detection of conditions like diabetes mellitus.
Safety precautions such as wearing goggles are important when performing the Benedict's test in a laboratory setting.