What is saponification?

Saponification is a chemical reaction in which a fat or oil is combined with a strong alkali, such as sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide, to produce soap and glycerol. This reaction breaks down the ester bonds in the fat or oil molecules, resulting in the formation of soap molecules and glycerol. Saponification is commonly used in the production of soap and other cleaning products.

Saponification is a chemical reaction that occurs when fats or oils react with a strong alkali (such as sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide) to produce soap. The process involves the hydrolysis of the fats or oils to form fatty acids and glycerol. The fatty acids then react with the alkali to form soap.

Saponification is used to produce a variety of soaps, including bar soap, liquid soap, and dishwashing detergent. The type of soap produced depends on the type of fats or oils used. For example, soaps made from coconut oil are typically hard and white, while soaps made from olive oil are softer and greener.

Saponification is a relatively simple and inexpensive process, which is why it has been used for centuries to produce soap. Today, saponification is still used to produce a significant amount of the soap that is sold worldwide.