Question

In her clinical studies, a student has prepared Fouchet reagent with acetic acid and ferric chloride for the demonstrates of bile. Microscopic examination of the stained slides reveals a negative result. This was because Fouchet reagent should have been prepared with:

a. ferric sulfate and acetic acid
b. ferric chloride and hydrochloride acid
c. ferric ammonium sulfate and acetic acid
d. ferric chloride and trichloroacetic acid

Answer 1

Fouchet reagent is used for the detection of bile pigments and should be prepared with ferric chloride and trichloroacetic acid. The student's negative result was likely due to the incorrect preparation of the reagent without trichloroacetic acid. Option d.

Step-by-step explanation:

Fouchet reagent is commonly used in histological studies to indicate the presence of bile pigments, such as bilirubin, in tissue samples. To obtain a positive result, demonstrating the presence of bile pigments, the correct composition of the Fouchet reagent is crucial.

For the preparation of Fouchet reagent, trichloroacetic acid is used to precipitate proteins and ferric chloride acts as a color developer which reacts with the bile pigments, producing a green color in the presence of bile.

According to the options provided and the correct chemistry of Fouchet reagent, the student in question should have prepared the Fouchet reagent with ferric chloride and trichloroacetic acid. Therefore, the right answer is (d) ferric chloride and trichloroacetic acid.