Question

Vegetable oil containing highest amount of saturated fatty acids is

• A. Olive oil
• B. Palm oil
• C. Groundnut oil
• D. Coconut oil

Hint:

Saturated Fatty Acid Content in Oils:
COCONUT OIL = $> 90\%$ Saturated (Highest, mostly Lauric acid 12:0).
Palm Oil = $\approx 50\%$ Saturated.
Olive Oil = Mostly MUFA (Oleic acid).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Lipid chemistry of edible oils: coconut oil contains over 90--92% saturated fatty acids dominated by medium-chain triglycerides (lauric acid 12:0 and myristic acid 14:0).
Key Formula or Approach:
\[ \text{SFA Content: Coconut Oil } (\mathbf{> 90 - 92\%}) \gg \text{Palm Oil } (50\%) > \text{Groundnut Oil } (18\%) > \text{Olive Oil } (14\%) \]

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Comparison of saturated fatty acid (SFA) profiles in vegetable oils:
1. Coconut Oil (D): Contains the highest concentration of Saturated Fatty Acids (SFA) among all edible vegetable oils ($90\% - 92\%$ SFA), consisting predominantly of medium-chain saturated fatty acids: Lauric acid (12:0, $\approx 48\%$), Myristic acid (14:0, $\approx 18\%$), Palmitic acid (16:0, $\approx 9\%$), Caprylic acid (8:0), and Capric acid (10:0).
2. Palm Oil: $\approx 50\%$ saturated (palmitic acid).
3. Groundnut Oil: $\approx 18 - 20\%$ saturated.
4. Olive Oil: $\approx 14\%$ saturated (dominated by monounsaturated oleic acid $18:1, > 75\%$).

Step 3: Final Answer:
Therefore, the vegetable oil with highest saturated fatty acids is Coconut oil, matching option (D).