The murexide test is a chemical test used to detect the presence of purine bases and other chemicals. The word "murexide" is spelled as /mjuːˈrɛksaɪd/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The sound /juː/ represents the "u" sound in "murexide," followed by /ˈrɛks/ for "rex" and /aɪd/ for "ide." The spelling is derived from the Greek word "murex," meaning purple, due to the purple color produced in the test. The murexide test has been widely used in chemistry and biochemistry to analyze various samples, from food to DNA.
The murexide test is a chemical test commonly used in analytical chemistry to detect the presence of uric acid and other purine derivatives. It is named after the notable red-purple dye called "murexide" that forms during the reaction.
In the murexide test, a small amount of the sample is first treated with nitric acid and then evaporated to dryness. The residue is then heated and dissolved in ammonium hydroxide to form a solution. Next, a few drops of a concentrated calcium chloride solution are added. If uric acid or its derivatives are present, a purple coloration will develop, indicating a positive result.
This test is highly specific to uric acid and its derivatives and is used in various applications such as the analysis of biological fluids, uric acid determination in pharmaceutical preparations, and detection of urinary calculi (kidney stones) composed of uric acid. The murexide test is particularly useful in diagnosing conditions such as gout, a type of arthritis caused by the buildup of uric acid crystals in the joints.
Overall, the murexide test provides a simple and efficient method for identifying the presence of uric acid and its derivatives, allowing for accurate diagnosis and monitoring of related conditions.
For uric acid; evaporate the suspected urine nearly to dryness on a water bath with a little nitric acid; when cool add carefully a little ammonia, when, if uric acid is present, a brilliant red color is produced.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "murexide" is derived from the Latin term "murex", which means "purple" or "sea snail". Murexide is a dye that can be obtained from the Mediterranean sea snail, Muricidae. The term "murexide test" refers to a chemical test that uses murexide as an indicator, particularly in analytical chemistry. The test is often employed to detect the presence of certain metals, such as calcium, in a solution.