Question

what is the difference between fat and fatty acid ? What is the significance of iodine number for a fatty acid ? Explain with the help of an example.

Answer 1

Hi there,

1. Fats versus fatty acids

In simplest terms, Fatty acids are long chains which are storage of Fats in the form of Triglycerides whereas Fat is formed by reaction between fatty acids and glycerol gives triglycerides.

2. Iodine value is a number generally used to determine the Degree of Unsaturation of fatty acids in the oil.

3. Example: Iodine value of Palm oil and Groundnut oil.

The Iodine value of Groundnut oil(around 76) is higher than Palm oil(54). It indicates the presence of higher unsaturated fats in the form of a Double bond in the oil.

Hope it helps you.