The iodine test is used to test for the presence of starch. Starch turns into an
intense “blue-black” colour upon addition of aqueous solution of iodine, due to
the formation of an intermolecular charge transfer complex.
Starch is a polysaccharide consisting of glucose units joined together by glycosidic
bonds. The amylase in the starch reacts with iodine to form a dark blue complex
while amylopectin develops reddish purple colour. In the presence of amylase
the starch is broken down into saccharides, consequently such colour does not
develop, when iodine is added.
A common configuration of the method in the radial diffusion assay and agar gel
containing starch is prepared. A sample well is created by punching a hole in
the gel and extract the questioned sample is then stained using an iodine
solution. Clear area in the gel indicates amylase activity and the size of the
clear area is proportional to the amount of amylose in the sample.