EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Partial hydrogenation or hardening of oils (PHO) is a chemical modification by adding hydrogen to (poly)unsaturated fatty acids in the triglycerides under high temperature and pressure in the presence of a metal catalyst, such as nickel.

Detailed explanation-2: -Hydrogenation is the process by which unsaturated fats are changed to saturated fats.

Detailed explanation-3: -Unsaturated fatty acids can additionally undergo addition reactions, most commonly hydrogenation, which is used to convert vegetable oils into margarine. With partial hydrogenation, unsaturated fatty acids can be isomerized from cis to trans configuration.

Detailed explanation-4: -Fat hydrogenation is the process of combining fat – typically liquid vegetable oils – with hydrogen, to convert some or all of the unsaturated fat into saturated fat, resulting in a solid or semi-solid fat.

Detailed explanation-5: -Hydrogenation Reaction: Unsaturated fatty acids may be converted to saturated fatty acids by the relatively simple hydrogenation reaction. Recall that the addition of hydrogen to an alkene (unsaturated) results in an alkane (saturated). The hydrogenation of a oleic fatty acid is shown in the graphic on the left.