Question

Identify the process of making soap by the hydrolysis of fats and oils.

• A. Hydrogenation
• B. Esterification
• C. Saponification
• D. Fermentation

Hint:

Alkaline hydrolysis of fats and oils that gives soap is called saponification.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept
Fats and oils are triesters of glycerol with long-chain fatty acids.

Step 2: The process
Boiling fats or oils with aqueous NaOH or KOH hydrolyses the ester bonds.
The products are glycerol and sodium or potassium salts of fatty acids, which are soap.

Step 3: Name it
Alkaline hydrolysis of an ester to give soap is called saponification.

Step 4: Why the other options fail
Hydrogenation adds hydrogen to double bonds, esterification forms esters, and fermentation is a microbial conversion of sugars.

Final Answer:
Making soap by hydrolysis of fats and oils is saponification, option (C). \[ \boxed{\text{(C) }\text{Saponification}} \]