70th B.P.S.C Re-Exam 2024

Catalyst used in hydrogenation of vegetable oil into vanaspati ghee is

aPd
bFe
cNi✓ Correct
dNone of the above
eNone of the above/ More than one of the above

Explanation

To convert vegetable oil into vanaspati ghee, nickel (Ni) is used as a catalyst. The process of converting vegetable oil into ghee is called hydrogenation. In this process, hydrogen gas is mixed with vegetable oil. As a result, the unsaturated fatty acids present in vegetable oil react with hydrogen, and their double bonds are converted into single bonds. This increases the melting point of the oil, and it becomes semi-solid at room temperature.

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