CHEM 132.

2 – BIOCHEMISTRY (LABORATORY)
LABORATORY REPORT

Name: Cagara, Caryl Anne D. Date Submitted:

Lab Schedule: MF (11:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M.)

Exercise No. 4
Lipids
I. OBJECTIVES:
1. Observe some physical and chemical properties of lipids
2. Distinguish between saturated and unsaturated fats
3. Observe saponification of triacylglycerol in the preparation of soap
4. Test for reaction of soap with soft water, oil and CaCl2

II. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:

A. Equations for the formation and Hydrolysis of a Triacylglycerol

B. Solubility of Lipid Sample on Different Solvents

Solvents Solubility (Soluble or Insoluble)

Water Insoluble
Ethanol Insoluble
Diethyl ether Soluble
Chloroform Soluble
Discussion:
In conducting the experiment of solubility of lipid sample of various solvents, four
solvents were used. Upon the addition of lipid sample and mixing it with water, it was
observed that it was insoluble to the said solvent. Same reaction was observed as well in
the mixing of lipid to the ethanol. On the other hand, lipid samples were soluble in both
diethyl ether and chloroform solvents. Since lipid is an organic compound that is known for
the absence of polar groups in its structure, and following the like-like principle, that
explains why it was not soluble in water and ethanol but soluble in non-polar solvents such
as the diethyl ether and chloroform.

C. Test for Unsaturation of Oils

Oils Saturated or Unsaturated

Olive oil Unsaturated
Mixture of saturated and unsaturated but more
Coconut oil
saturated
Corn oil Unsaturated
Palm oil Unsaturated
Sunflower oil Unsaturated

Discussion:
Upon the addition of bromine to the oil samples, olive, corn, palm, and sunflower oils were
observed to have discoloration thus, considered to unsaturated. However, coconut oil
tested differently as it was observed to be the mixture of saturated and unsaturated but
more on the saturated side. Looking into the structure of coconut oil, it is 100 percent fat in
nature but 80-90 percent of it is saturated. This may explain as to why it took a longer time
for discoloration to happen compared to the other oil samples.

D. Saponification: Formation of Soap

 Write the equation for saponification process.

Discussion:
Saponification is simply the process of making soap. This process takes place when
triglyceride reacts with alkali that can either be sodium or potassium hydroxide to make
glycerol and fatty acid salt or the soap molecules. When sodium hydroxide is used, it
makes hard soap as a product but when potassium hydroxide is used, soft soap is
produced such as the hand soap.
E. Cleaning Capacity of Soaps
Tests A B C
Solubility (Soluble/Insoluble) Soluble Soluble Insoluble
Presence of foam (Yes/No) Yes Yes Yes
Cleaning action
Effective Effective Ineffective
(Effective/Ineffective)

Discussion:
In beaker A, the soap was soluble in distilled water and has the highest measurement of
produced foam. It was also showed the most effective cleaning action among the three. In
beaker B, where the soap dissolved in well water, got the second highest measurement in
foam formation and was also effective in cleaning the stain. It was observed that although
distilled water was used in beaker C, the soap did not dissolve in it. This is because the
calcium ions present in dissolved calcium chloride reacts with the soap to form calcium salt
of soap which is insoluble in water.

III. CONCLUSIONS:
 Therefore, it was concluded that after tackling this exercise, its experimental objectives were
met, namely observing some physical and chemical properties of lipids, distinguishing between
saturated and unsaturated fats, observing saponification of triacylglycerol in the preparation of soap,
and testing for reaction of soap with soft water, oil and CaCl2.
Lipid compounds may be soluble or insoluble in certain solvents such as the water, diethyl
ether, ethanol, chloroform, and others. Since lipid is an organic compound that is known for the
absence of polar groups in its structure, and following the like-like principle, that explains why it was
not soluble in water and ethanol but soluble in non-polar solvents such as the diethyl ether and
chloroform. Water used can also affect the foam formation and cleaning action of soap samples. In
saponification, the more foam that is formed by the soap, the higher its capacity as a cleaning agent.
It was observed that although distilled water was used in beaker C, same with the beaker A that got
the highest cleaning capacity, the soap did not dissolve in it. This is because the calcium ions present
in dissolved calcium chloride reacts with the soap to form calcium salt of soap which is insoluble in
water.