Why isn't starch present when colour is light brown?

The Iodine test uses Iodine solution, which is usually a brown colour. It is used to test for the presence of Starch. Iodine solution, iodine dissolved in an aqueous solution of potassium iodide, reacts with starch producing a blue black color. If the sample being tested doesn't turn blue-black, then starch isn't present.