DECOMPOSITION OF FATS 



89 



lignin as compared with cellulose and hemicelluloses, when alfalfa 

 is allowed to decompose under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. 



100 



400 



500 



200 300 

 Days 



Fig. 46. — Course of decomposition of total plant material (alfalfa) and of the 



hemicelluloses, cellulose, and hgnin under aerobic (A) and anaerobic (AN) 



conditions (from Tenney and Waksman). 



Decomposition of Fats. — Fats are esters of the higher acids 

 and a tribasic alcohol, glycerol. The decomposition of a typical 

 fat proceeds as follows : 



