Question

what is rancidity? what type of reaction involved in it.

Answer 1

Rancidity: The rancidity is a type of chemical decomposition of oil, fats or other lipids and lipid like substances due to which the odors and flavors of the substances become undesirable.

Actually it is a deterioration reaction in food and under this process can also destroy the nutrients in the substances.

The rancidity is of three types:

Hydrolytic rancidity : When water is used to splits the fatty acid chains from the glycerides .

Oxidative rancidity: It occurs when double bonds of an unsaturated fatty acid reacts with oxygen.

Microbial rancidity: It occurs when, when micro organisms like bacteria break down the fats.