MODULE 7: LIPIDS

LIPIDS

- commonly referred to as fats, are ubiquitous constituents of all living cells and have a dual
role.
- composed of mostly carbon–hydrogen (C–H) bonds, they are a rich source of energy and an
efficient way for the body to store excess calories.
- The members of the lipid family have characteristic solubility and properties in common but
are rather diverse in their chemical institution, in general lipids are compounds having the
following characteristics:
1. They are insoluble in water but soluble in one or more solvents of low polarity (nonpolar)
2. They are esters of fatty acids
3. They are utilizable by the living organisms
- Significance of Lipid:
1. As a source of energy - The oxidation of fatty acids was shown to be a major means of
metabolic energy production, and it became clear that their storage in the form of
triacylglycerol was more efficient and quantitatively more important than the storage of
carbohydrates as glycogen.
2. As essential component of cellular structure especially cell membranes

➢ SOLUBILITY TEST
- detects lipid solubility in various solvents to check whether it is miscible or immiscible in polar
or non-polar solvents.
- Lipids are more soluble in organic solvents (can be referred to as NOPOLAR SOLVENTS OR
FAT-SOLUBLE solvents) such as ethanol, chloroform and ether compared to inorganic solvents
like HCl, NaOH and water.
- The principle of solubility called “like dissolves like” applies also to Lipids. Hence, lipid
substances are immiscible with polar solvents which usually includes the inorganic
compounds. And they are very miscible with other fat or nonpolar solvents which usually
includes organic compounds.
- Procedure: Put 2 drops of coconut oil in 1 ml of each of the following solvents contained in
separate test tubes: water, dilute HCl, dilute NaOH, ethanol, chloroform, and ether. Repeat
the same procedure using Vegetable oil and Linseed oil instead of coconut oil.

#toTOPtheBoardExam
Prepared by: Chelsea Ann E. Catiltil, RMT, MLS(ASCPi)CM
 ➢ TRANSLUSCENT SPOT TEST
- A translucent spot test is also a preliminary test for the lipids, which is characterized by a
translucent and greasy spot. The lipid will not wet the filter paper, unlike water. The lipids will
form a greasy or translucent spot due to their greasy texture, and penetrate the filter paper.
- Procedure: Place 1 drop of coconut oil on a piece of paper. Do the same with vegetable oil
and Linseed oil. Note the formation of semi-translucent spot. Allow to evaporate
spontaneously.

o Interpretation of result:
• Positive result: Translucent spot will appear on the filter paper.
• Negative result: Translucent spot will not appear on the filter paper.

➢ ACROLEIN TEST
- used to detect the presence of glycerol or fat. When fat is treated strongly in the presence of
a dehydrating agent like potassium bisulphate (KHSO4), the glycerol portion of the molecule
is dehydrated to form an unsaturated aldehyde, acrolein that has a pungent irritating odor.
- Procedure: To 1 ml each of coconut oil, vegetable oil and linseed oil in their separate test
tubes, add a pinch of Potassium bisulfate. Heat gradually and note the odor produced.

o Interpretation of result:
• Positive result: If glycerol present in the sample, it will give a pungent
irritating odor.
• Negative result: If glycerol is absent in a sample, it will NOT produce a
pungent smell.

#toTOPtheBoardExam
Prepared by: Chelsea Ann E. Catiltil, RMT, MLS(ASCPi)CM
 ➢ TEST FOR UNSATURATION (HUBL’S TEST)
- This test is used to detect the degree of unsaturation in oil or fat. Huble’s reagent reacts with
an alcoholic solution of iodine that contains some mercuric chloride. During the reaction, the
violet color of iodine fades away if the oil or fat is unsaturated. If the oil or fat is saturated, the
violet color of iodine does not fade away.
- Procedure:
1. Dissolve 5 drops of linseed oil 3 ml of chloroform.
2. Add Hubl’s solution drop by drop, shaking between additions, until a permanent
brownish tinge is obtained.
3. Record the no. of drops needed to obtain this color.
4. Repeat steps 1 to 3 using cottonseed oil instead of linseed oil.

o Interpretation of result:
• Positive result: Pink color will disappear by the addition of unsaturated fatty acids.
• Negative result: Pink color will NOT disappear.

▪ The iodine value or iodine number

- the mass of iodine in grams that is consumed by 100 grams of a chemical substance.
- Iodine numbers are often used to determine the amount of unsaturation in fats, oils and
waxes.
- In fatty acids, unsaturation occurs mainly as double bonds which are very reactive towards
halogens, the iodine in this case. Thus, the higher the iodine value, the more unsaturation are
present in the fat.
- It can be seen that coconut oil is very saturated, which means it is good for making soap. On
the other hand, linseed oil is highly unsaturated, which makes it a drying oil, well suited for
making oil paints.

▪ Saponification of fats
- The hydrolysis of fats and oils in the presence of a base is used to make soap
- Ordinary soap is a mixture of the sodium salts of various fatty acids, produced in one of the
oldest organic syntheses practiced by humans.
- All soap is made from fats and oils, mixed with alkaline (basic) solutions.
- Chemical reaction: Fat + Lye → Soap + Glycerol

#toTOPtheBoardExam
Prepared by: Chelsea Ann E. Catiltil, RMT, MLS(ASCPi)CM