Question

The ingredient label on a container of shortening indicates partially hydrogenated vegetableoil." This means that during processing the number of carbon-carbon double bonds in the oil was reduced. What is the result of decreasing the number of double bonds?a. The oil now has a lower melting point.b. There are more "kinks" in the fatty acid chains, reducing the membrane density.c. The fatty acid is modified from a diglyceride into a triglyceride.d. The oil now contains a higher percentage of carbohydrate.e. The oil is now more likely to be solid at room temperature.

Answer 1

E. The oil is now more likely to be solid at room temperature.

Vegetable oil is made up of unsaturated fatty acids (more of double bonds) which makes it liquid at room temperature and by partial hydrogenation of vegetable oil we are reducing the number of double bonds (carbon-carbon bond reduced) which makes the oil more likely to be solid at room temperature.

Answer 2

Answer: e. The oil is now more likely to be solid at room temperature.

In partial hydrogenation process, a hydrogen gas is passed through oils and their double bonds are converted into single bonds in between the carbon atoms. The purpose of hydrogenation process is to attain properties of saturated oil into unsaturated oil, such as solidity at room temperature.