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Lecithin

The document discusses tests performed on lecithin to identify its components. The acrolein test uses heat and a dehydrating agent to break down glycerol in lecithin into acrolein, which has a distinctive odor. The iodine absorption test uses iodine to detect unsaturated fatty acids in lecithin, which react with iodine and change the color of the solution. Lecithin is important as a precursor to acetylcholine and as a component of lung surfactant.

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Michael Urrutia
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140 views8 pages

Lecithin

The document discusses tests performed on lecithin to identify its components. The acrolein test uses heat and a dehydrating agent to break down glycerol in lecithin into acrolein, which has a distinctive odor. The iodine absorption test uses iodine to detect unsaturated fatty acids in lecithin, which react with iodine and change the color of the solution. Lecithin is important as a precursor to acetylcholine and as a component of lung surfactant.

Uploaded by

Michael Urrutia
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Lecithin

Tests on Lecithin
Acrolein Test
Acrolein Test
- used to test for the presence of glycerol
- Glycerol decomposes slowly at a boiling
temperature.
- rate of decomposition is greatly accelerated when
a dehydrating agent such as KHSO4 was added.
- Acrolein, an aldehyde is easily recognized by its
penetrating and irritating odor.

Acrolein Test

CH
2
OH CH
2


CH OH CH + 2H
2
O

CH
2
OH CHO

Glycerol Acrolein
Heat

KHSO
4

IODINE ABSORPTION
LECITHIN TEST RESULT
in IODINE ABSORPTION
- test for unsaturated fatty acids that would cause
decolorization of the solution.
- free iodine reacts with fat very slowly, it is usually
combined with other substances to facilitate the
reaction.
- a change in color will indicate that it contains
unsaturated fatty acids which reacted to iodine through
halogenation reaction.
Function of Lecithin in the Body
Precursor of Acetylcholine
A major component in lung surfactant

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