Question

C12H29COOH, C15H21COOH, C16H29COOH Which of them becomes rancid earlier? How can we increase it's shelf life?

Answer 1

• C₁₅H₂₁COOH will become rancid earlier.
• Fats and oils on long exposure to air and moisture develop an unpleasant smell and taste known as rancidification.
• The maximum degree of unsaturation are prone to earlier rancidity.

• Among the three options maximum unsaturation is present in C₁₅H₂₁COOH.
• We can increase its shelf life by keeping them in a refrigerator.
• Microorganisms present in the air provides the enzymes (lipases) that catalyse the rancidification process.

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