Final answer:
To test a non-reducing sugar, first hydrolyze it with a dilute acid and heat, then reapply Benedict's test after neutralizing the solution. Always wear safety goggles during laboratory work.
Step-by-step explanation:
Conducting an Experiment with Non-Reducing Sugars
If you are faced with a non-reducing sugar in an experiment where the initial result remains blue, indicating a negative result when using Benedict's test, further steps are needed to identify the sugar. Benedict's test and Tollen's test are common reagents used for testing the presence of reducing sugar. These tests rely on the sugar's ability to reduce metal ions such as copper (in Benedict's test) or silver (in Tollen's test).
To proceed with non-reducing sugars, you can perform a hydrolysis step first, by adding a dilute acid to the sugar solution and heating it. This will break down the non-reducing sugar into its component monosaccharides, which may be reducing sugars. Afterwards, you can neutralize the solution and then carry out the Benedict's test again to see if a reducing sugar is now present and can be detected.
CAUTION: Safety is paramount in any laboratory experiment. Always wear goggles and other appropriate protective equipment when handling chemicals such as Benedict's solution and when working with heat sources.