Discussion Experiment 4: Lipid

In this experiment, we are able to determine the saponification number for each sample tested.
Saponification value (sap) or also known as saponification number represents the number of
milligrams of potassium hydroxide (KOH) required to saponify 1g of fat under the conditions
specified. It measures the average molecular weight of all the fatty acids present. The smaller the
molar mass of the fat, the higher the saponification value.

In this experiment we obtained that there are three different values of saponification number for
butter that we get from three different groups. There are slight different between the readings
which are 84.2, 98.2 and 14.0 respectively. There are huge different between the readings due to
technical errors. This might due to addition of too much phenolphthalein into the sample
solution. Secondly, the readings are not taken immediately after the solution turned colorless.
Butter fat is made out of a majority of short chained fatty acids, hence it should have high
number of saponification value.

Margarine have higher number of saponification value which is 84.2, followed by sunflower oil
sap value of 33.7, corn oil sap value of 28.1 and palm oil sap value of 28.1. Theoretically
triglycerides containing long fatty acids will have a lower saponification number than
triglycerides with shorter fatty acids. Low fatty acid fats like coconut oil or palm oil fat will have
high saponification value. On the other hand vegetable oils like sunflower oil will have a lower
saponification number. It means that, palm oil have the shorter fatty acid chain than corn oil and
sunflower oil. For the palm oil and corn oil, the saponification number should higher than
sunflower oil because they have shorter fatty acid chain than sunflower oil. Due to errors during
experiment, the results obtained were totally different from what we expected. The amount of
phenolphthalein dropped into the solution might be too much or too little hence it alters our value
of amount of HCL.

Reflection (Yuri)

In this experiment, we need to find the value saponification number for each of the sample.
Different groups were assigned with different type of samples. I also feel so thrilled to learn how
to make soap by using modern ingredients. We were assigned to bring some decoration from
home for instance flowers, perfume, glitters and so on.

The process of determining the saponification number required many steps. Hence, my
groupmates and I divided the work equally. We are so lucky that we are able to finish the
experiment within the time given.
Im glad that our instructor being so helpful and this make our experiment run smoothly. Last but
not least, a massive respect to my group members for contributing their hard work in order to
make this lab work a success.

Thank you.