<P> Seliwanoff's test is a chemical test which distinguishes between aldose and ketose sugars . Ketoses are distinguished from aldoses via their ketone / aldehyde functionality . If the sugar contains a ketone group, it is a ketose . If a sugar contains an aldehyde group, it is an aldose . This test relies on the principle that, when heated, ketoses are more rapidly dehydrated than aldoses . It is named after Theodor Seliwanoff, the chemist that devised the test . When added to a solution containing ketoses, a red color is formed rapidly indicating a positive test . When added to a solution containing aldoses, a slower forming light pink is observed instead . </P> <P> The reagents consist of resorcinol and concentrated hydrochloric acid: </P> <Ul> <Li> The acid hydrolysis of polysaccharide and oligosaccharide ketoses yields simpler sugars followed by furfural . </Li> <Li> The dehydrated ketose then reacts with two equivalents of resorcinol in a series of condensation reactions to produce a molecule with a deep cherry red color . </Li> <Li> Aldoses may react slightly to produce a faint pink color . </Li> </Ul> <Li> The acid hydrolysis of polysaccharide and oligosaccharide ketoses yields simpler sugars followed by furfural . </Li>

Which group of carbohydrates reacts most readily to the seliwanoff’s test