Saponification value of fat/oil

Saponification value of fat/oil

Principle

  • Saponification is the process by which the fatty aids in the triglycerides or fat are hyrdrolysed by an alkali to give glycerol and potassium salts of fatty acids. 
  • A known quantity of fat or oil is refluxed with an excess amount of alcoholic KOH.
  • After saponification the remaining KOH is estimated by titrating it against a standard acid.
  • The value obtained is used for the determination of saponification no. of fats or oil.

Saponification number:It is defined as the number of mg of KOH required to saponify 1g of fat or oil. This value gives an indication of the type of fatty acid in fat. The longer the carbon chain, less acid is liberated per gram of fat hydrolysed.
Last modified: Friday, 16 December 2011, 6:29 AM