AP BIOLOGY, Chapter 5			Safety Level: Highest (goggles + aprons)
Saponification of Triglycerides

In your lab notebook: 
	Entered in Table of Contents		2
	Descriptive Title			2
	Objectives				4
	Procedure				8
	Observations				25
	Summary				5

Objectives
1)	Observe the traditional reaction of NaOH and triglycerides.
2)	Compare the reactivity of NaOH and wood ash.

Procedure
1)	Obtain and label [NaOH and wood ash] two matching 250 mL beakers.
2)	Use a balance to weigh about 25 gm of vegetable shortening into each.
3)	Record the actual amounts. The amount of liquid and lipid in each will match.
4)	Add an equal amount of milliliters of 1M NaOH into the NaOH beaker.
5)	Add an equal amount of milliliters of wood ash solution into the wood ash beaker.
6)	Put both on the same hot plate. Heat gently to 90 C and maintain.
7)	Once saponification is complete, allow the mixture to cool.
8)	Add a few grams of NaCl to precipitate the soap.
9)	Record observations.

Observations
1)	Record visual observations every few minutes during heating. 
2)	Record the time for each observation.
3)	Record the appearance of the mixture after addition of salt.

Summary
1)	Compare the amounts of precipitate from the NaOH and wood ash processes.
2)	Suggest three improvements that might increase the yield of precipitate.