Iodine test

The iodine test is used to test for the presence of starch. When treated with IKI solution—iodine dissolved in an aqueous solution of potassium iodide—the triiodide anion (I₃⁻) complexes with starch, producing an intense blue/purple colour. However, the intensity of the color decreases with increasing temperature and with the presence of water-miscible organic solvents such as ethanol. The test cannot be performed at very low pH due to the hydrolysis of the starch under these conditions.

To put it simply, when the iodine solution comes into contact with starch, it turns dark blue/purple. Otherwise, it will remain brown in color.