Fats, Oils, and Triglycerides

Carboxylate soaps are most commonly formed through either direct or indirect reaction of aqueous caustic soda, ie, alkaH earth metal hydroxides such as NaOH, with fats and oils from natural sources, ie, triglycerides. Fats and oils are typically composed of both saturated and unsaturated fatty acid molecules containing between 8 and 20 carbons randomly linked through ester bonds to a glycerol [56-81-5] backbone. Overall, the reaction of caustic with triglyceride yields glycerol (qv) and soap in a reaction known as saponification. The reaction is shown in equation 1. 

Catalytical studies of synthesized products were tested according to the Hanus Method [18]. Since Triglycerides (fats and oils) are esters of glycerol with three fatty acids. These long chain fatty acids may contain one or more double bonds. With no double bonds, the fatty acid is termed saturated (with hydrogen), and with double bonds, it is termed unsaturated. The iodine number is an indication of the degree of unsaturation of the oil (Scheme 14.4). 

Lipid triglyceride fats and oils used for energy storage produced from glycerol and three fatty acids... 

In general, two types of chemical reactions are utilized in the manufacture of soap the saponification of triglycerides (fats and oils) and the neutralization of fatty acids (which themselves are produced from the triglycerides by a variety of methods, most notably splitting or hydrolysis of fats and oils with steam under high pressure). Sodium hydroxide (the predominant alkali employed in the manufacture of soaps), potassium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, and triethanolamine are... 

As glycerol is common to all fats and oils, whether animal or vegetable, it is the fatty acid part of the fat (oil) that is of interest. The differences among triglycerides (fats and oils) are because of the length of the hydrocarbon chains of the acids and the number of position of double bonds (unsaturation). 

Glycerol can be esterified commercially with one, two, or three fatty acids to produce mono-, di-, or triglycerides. Fats and oils are naturally occurring triglycerides, the distribution of which varies in different plants and animals. 

The fatty acid components in naturally occurring triglyceride molecules are rarely identical (as in the case of glyceryl tristearate). In addition, natural triglycerides (fats and oils) are usually mixtures of different triglyceride molecules. Butterfat, for example, contains at least 14 different fatty acid components. 

It is contained in nutmeg oil. Some - Cuphea species have also high content of m. It is derived from medium-chain triglycerides (- fats and oils), e.g., - coconut oil, - palm kernel oil and - babassu oil, by - saponification and - fractionation. Up to 99% purity is available commercially. 

It is produced by - hydrolysis of triglycerides (- fats and oils) and - waxes. Commercial... 

P. is, next to - coconut oil, an important source for medium-chain triglycerides (->fats and oils) and fatty acids. 

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