Activity 5
LIPIDS
Lipids are poorly soluble in water but they dissolve in organic solvents like benzene or
chloroform. Their functions are to act as metabolic fuel, as stored forms of energy and
as components of the cellular membrane. Lipids are classified into fatty acid,
triglycerides, sphingolipids and steroids.
The alkali metal salts of fatty acids usually containing 10 to 18 carbon atoms are called
soaps. They have long nonpolar, oil-soluble hydrocarbon chain at one end and the
water-soluble carboxylate ion at the other end. This makes soap a good wetting agent
and also emulsifying agent. The ability of soap to suspend substances that do not
dissolve in water makes it good cleaning agents. However, soaps form insoluble salts
with metal ions like Ca and Mg ions. These ions are present in hard water, forming
precipitates that adhere to sinks and even to clothes. The development of synthetic
detergents solved the problem of “scum” formation with soap.
The degree of unsaturation of lipids can be determined by adding iodine in CCl4. The
free I2 attaches itself to the carbons with double bonds. The presence of unsaturation is
indicated by the decolorization of the added iodine.
OBJECTIVES
1. To examine some physical and chemical properties of lipids
2. to prepare soap
3. to compare the properties of soap with detergents
MATERIALS
olive oil oleic coconut oil cottonseed oil conc H2SO4 acetic
acid stearic acid iodine in CCl4 powdered anhydride
peanut detergent soap NaOH phenolphthalein 0.5%
oil corn oil linseed CaCl2
oil 0.5% MgCl2
PROCEDURES
1. Test for unsaturation. Place 5 drops of olive oil, oleic acid, stearic acid, peanut oil,
corn oil, linseed oil, cottonseed oil and coconut oil in separate test tubes. Add I2
in CCl4 drop by drop, shaking it until a reddish-brown color persists. Take care to
prevent cross contamination of samples. Record the number of drops of iodine
consumed.
Substance tested No. of drops Iodine used
Olive oil 9 drops
Oleic acid 11 drops
Stearic acid
Peanut oil 8 drops
Corn oil 10 drops
Linseed oil 9 drops
Cottonseed oil 10 drops
Coconut oil 12 drops
2. Liebermann-Burchard Test. Note: This test should be done with extreme caution.
Using a clean dry test tube, place a few grains of cholesterol in 3 mL anhydrous
chloroform. Add 10-20 drops of acetic anhydride and then carefully add 2 drops
of conc. H2SO4. Gently mix and observe the formation of lilac color that develops
gradually, turning to blue, and then finally to an emerald green color.
3. a. Prepare a solution of 1 g of powdered detergent in 50 mL of distilled water.
b. Test the pH of your soap solution and the detergent solution by adding
phenolphthalein.
c. Pour 10 mL of your soap solution in two labeled test tubes. Add 2 mL of 0.5%
CaCl2 in test tube 1 and 0.5% MgCl2 in test tube 2.
d. Repeat the procedure using detergent solution instead of the soap solution
e. Fill a test tube with about 10 mL of warm water. Add 1 mL of cottonseed oil,
stopper and shake. Observe. Now add 1 mL of soap solution to the tube,
shake again. Observe again. Repeat this procedure using detergent instead
of soap. Observe in similar manner.
Test performed Soap Detergent
pH (specify acidic or
basic)
CaCl2 solution
MgCl2 solution
Emulsification
QUESTIONS
1. Note the different fats tested for unsaturation. List them from the most unsaturated
• Olive oil, Oleic Acid, Stearic Acid, Peanut oil, Corn oil, Linseed oil, Cottonseed
oil then coconut oil.
2. From your observations, which is the better emulsifying agent, soap or detergent,
why?
• Detergents are the best emulsifier for oils in water. Detergents are
molecules that have a water-soluble head, and an oil soluble tail. The
molecules cluster around oils with their 'tails' in the oil and heads
looking out at water, forming a 'surface' that looks like it is water
soluble. Typically, detergents are made from oils, such as kerosene
reacted with a strong acid, like sulfuric acid. Soap does the same thing
by reacting natural oil with a strong alkali. Because of the choice of
starting materials, soaps are not as effective an emulsifier as
detergents.
GENERALIZATION:
In conclusion, At the molecular level, lipids are a necessary component of
human physiology. It's critical to strike the right balance between
beneficial unsaturated fats and dangerous saturated fats if you want to
avoid cardiovascular disease and lose weight. Sugar and fat, against
popular belief, are essential components of a healthy diet since they are
precursors to energy production and the development of cellular tissue.
Prepared by:
Ms. Czerilou Marie L. Quibuyen
Instructor
