Mecke reagent

{{Short description|Reagent to identify alkaloids}}

The Mecke reagent is used as a simple spot-test to presumptively identify alkaloids as well as other compounds. It is composed of a mixture of selenous acid and concentrated sulfuric acid,{{cite web | url = http://dancesafe.org/node/12718 | title = Mecke Reagent Testing Kit (Red Label) | access-date = 2012-01-26 | publisher = Dancesafe | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120124103314/http://dancesafe.org/node/12718 | archive-date = 2012-01-24 }} which is dripped onto the substance being tested.

The United States Department of Justice method for producing the reagent is the addition of 100 mL of concentrated (95–98%) sulfuric acid to 1 g of selenous acid. While sale to the general public is legal, it is not recommended as strong corrosives can cause permanent skin and eye damage and require extensive safety ratings.{{cite web|title=Color Test Reagents/Kits for Preliminary Identification of Drugs of Abuse|url=http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/183258.pdf|work=Law Enforcement and Corrections Standards and Testing Program|access-date=2011-07-24|date=July 2000}}