Question

What reaction is described by the word saponification?

Answer 1

Saponification
Definition: Usually, a process by which triglycerides are reacted with sodium or potassium hydroxide to produce glycerol and a fatty acid salt, called 'soap'.

Lipids that contain fatty acid ester linkages can undergo hydrolysis. This reaction is catalyzed by a strong acid or base. Saponification is the alkaline hydrolysis of the fatty acid esters.

Example: An example of the reaction is:

Answer 2

Esterification reaction