Me vs osazone

When I was in college, we had a biochemistry experiment called osazone formation. This was used for identification of type of sugars. It was a fun experiment for a few sugars. But for some sugars it was an experiment that would test the patience. My case was the later one.

We had covered the theory of osazone formation in our lectures. The professor did inform us that it is an important lesson because as per the university rules, osazone formation is the mandatory experiment in the practical exams.

When it was the time for practicals, the instructor had already created the osazone specimens for showing us how the crystals would look like based on the type of sugars. While showing the osazone, I remember the instructor said, "if you get fructose, you are the blessed ones. If you get glucose and mannose, you are still lucky. If you get galactose, your luck is not bad either. If you get maltose and lactose, all the best for staying patient". Knowing the theory I understood what the instructor meant by the conclusions. Each type of sugar was going to require different durations to form osazone. Excluding maltose and lactose, all sugars will form the osazone within 15 minutes. Maltose and lactose will require upto 1 hour to form osazone.

The samples were handed over to us for the experiment. Everyone was praying to get glucose, fructose, or even galactose. But my instincts were telling me that I am not going to be lucky. Like always my instincts were right.

In the lab, I could see that the students had started leaving within few minutes. I saw them and thought, "there go God's favorite ones". After 15 minutes the lab was halfway empty. After 20 minutes, along with me only 5 students had been present. After 30 minutes, along with me only one student was waiting.

"Yes, osazone. I got it," he screamed. He had successfully completed his experiment. He submitted the results and left the lab.

Now I was the only student in the lab, standing in front of a burner and test tube filled with sugar and phenylhydrazine mixture, waiting to see the bright yellow crystals to appear. The instructor too was bored and decided to take a quick nap.

40 minutes, no crystals.

45 minutes, no crystals.

50 minutes, no crystals. The sample had started testing my patience. I felt like throwing away the test tube.

At 55 minutes mark, the lab assistant and instructor started discussing whether the sample I had received was contaminated. The instructor told me to keep going for 10 minutes, else the sample would be replaced.

After 7 minutes, I started to see the appearance of yellow particles in the solution. I kept going. In next 5 minutes, the test tube was filled with the bright yellow crystals. That told me the experiment was successful. I had a sigh of relief and informed the instructor to see the results. The instructor was satisfied to see the success and signed off the experiment.

When it was the time for the university practical exams, I found myself in a better state of mind. I had prepared myself for gruelling efforts to see the osazone. When I received the sample, my instincts told me that it was going to be a long experiment. I trusted my instincts and stayed calm.

Just like the regular practicals, I saw the lab empty after 30 minutes. In the lab were the examiner, lab assistant, and a college professor. The external examiner asked the professor if they should speak with me to not worry for the experiment. I heard the college professor saying, "don't worry. She is a tough one. She always gets the most complex samples even during the regular practicals. She will complete it successfully".

I felt proud to hear that. Because not only I had been trusting my abilities, my professors too had been on my side.