Heller's test is a

chemical test In chemistry, a chemical test is a qualitative property, qualitative or Quantitative property, quantitative procedure designed to identify, quantify, or characterise a chemical compound or substituent, chemical group. Purposes Chemical testing m ...

that shows that

strong acid Acid strength is the tendency of an acid, symbolised by the chemical formula , to dissociate into a hydron (chemistry), proton, , and an anion, . The Dissociation (chemistry), dissociation or ionization of a strong acid in solution is effectivel ...

s cause the denaturation of precipitated proteins. Concentrated

nitric acid Nitric acid is an inorganic compound with the formula . It is a highly corrosive mineral acid. The compound is colorless, but samples tend to acquire a yellow cast over time due to decomposition into nitrogen oxide, oxides of nitrogen. Most com ...

is added to a protein solution from the side of the test tube to form two layers. A white ring appears between the two layers if the test is positive. Heller's test is commonly used to test for the presence of proteins in

urine Urine is a liquid by-product of metabolism in humans and many other animals. In placental mammals, urine flows from the Kidney (vertebrates), kidneys through the ureters to the urinary bladder and exits the urethra through the penile meatus (mal ...

. This test was discovered by the Austrian Chemist, Johann Florian Heller (1813-1871).

References

Chemical tests {{analytical-chemistry-stub