Biology Project
Biology Project
Biology Project
INVESTIGATORY PROJECT
TOPIC:
ATHARVA DALVI
XII SCIENCE BETA INDIRA NATIONAL SCHOOL
‘To estimate the amount of fats
present in different dry fruits’
CERTIFICATE
1. Introduction
2. Requirements
3. Procedure
4. Observation
5. Result
INTRODUCTION:
Fats and Oils:
Fat is one of the three main macronutrients, along
with carbohydrate and protein.[1] Fats molecules consist of primarily
carbon and hydrogen atoms, thus they are all hydrocarbon molecules.
Examples include cholesterol, phospholipids and triglycerides.
The terms "lipid", "oil" and "fat" are often confused. "Lipid" is the
general term, though a lipid is not necessarily a triglyceride. "Oil"
normally refers to a lipid with short or unsaturated fatty acid chains
that is liquid at room temperature, while "fat" (in the strict sense)
specifically refers to lipids that are solids at room temperature –
however, "fat" (in the broad sense) may be used in food science as a
synonym for lipid. Fats, like other lipids, are generally hydrophobic,
and are soluble in organic solvents and insoluble in water.
Fat is an important foodstuff for many forms of life, and fats serve
both structural and metabolic functions. They are a necessary part of
the diet of most heterotrophs (including humans) and are the most
energy dense, thus the most efficient form of energy storage.[2]
Types of lipids:
1.Phospholipids
Phospholipids are a class of lipids that are a major component of
all cell membranes. They can form lipid bilayers because of
their amphiphilic characteristic. The structure of the phospholipid
molecule generally consists of two hydrophobic fatty acid "tails" and
a hydrophilic "head" consisting of a phosphate group. The two
components are joined together by a glycerol molecule.
2. Waxes
Waxes are a diverse class of organic compounds that
are lipophilic, malleable solids near ambient temperatures. They
include higher alkanes and lipids, typically with melting points above
about 40 °C (104 °F), melting to give low viscosity liquids. Waxes
are insoluble in water but soluble in organic, nonpolar solvents.
Natural waxes of different types are produced by plants and animals
and occur in petroleum.
3. Triglycerides
A triglyceride (TG, triacylglycerol, TAG, or triacylglyceride) is
an ester derived from glycerol and three fatty acids (from tri-
and glyceride).[1] Triglycerides are the main constituents of body
fat in humans and other animals, as well as vegetable fat.[2] They are
also present in the blood to enable the bidirectional transference
of adiposefat and blood glucose from the liver, and are a major
component of human skin oils.
Importance of Fats
1.Provision of energy
Fats are a source of energy in the human diet, together with
carbohydrates and proteins, the other two main macronutrients. Fat is
the most concentrated source providing 9 kcal per 1 gram consumed,
which is more than double the energy content of protein or
carbohydrate (4 kcal per gram) and more than quadruple the energy
content of fibre (2 kcal per gram). Fat can be stored in the body’s fat
tissue, which releases fatty acids when energy is required (see box:
Body fat).
2. Structural component
The membranes around the cells in our body physically separate the
inside from the outside of the cell, and control the movement of
substances in and out of the cells. They are mainly made of
phospholipids, triglycerides and cholesterol. Both length and
saturation of the fatty acids from phospholipids and triglycerides
affect the arrangement of the membrane and thereby its fluidity.
Shorter chain fatty acids and unsaturated fatty acids are less stiff and
less viscous, making the membranes more flexible.
3. Carrier of vitamins
In the diet, fat is a carrier for the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K,
and supports their absorption in the intestine. Consuming sufficient
amounts of fatty foods that contain these vitamins is thus essential for
adequate intake of these micronutrients.
REQUIREMENTS:
Different types of dry fruits (like coconut, walnut, almond, cashew
nut & ground nut), funnels, beakers, conical flask, filter papers, test
tubes, stirring rod, heater/spirit, carbon tetrachloride (CCl4).
PROCEDURE:
1. Grind 10g of dry fat in a pestle and mortar into fine powder.
2. Heat each sample with sufficient amount of carbon tetrachloride
over a water bath for 5 minutes.
3. Filter the mixture and separate the solid part.
4. Weigh the solid part assuming that the sample contains negligible
amount of volatile substances, subtract the weight of the solid part
from the initial amount of dry fruit taken & this is the amount of fat &
oil present in dry fruit.
5. Calculate % weight of fats in each dry fruit.
OBSERVATIONS:
PRECAUTIONS:
1. Weighing should be done properly.
2. Hold the test tubes with test tube holder during heating.