206 THE INCOME OF ENERGY 



It is related to the alcohols (Chevreul, 1813), 

 being a compound ether or ester, a combination 

 of an alcohol with an acid. Commercially gly- 

 cerine is prepared by exposing neutral fats, such 

 as stearin, to superheated steam, whereby the 

 neutral fat is split into glycerine and fatty acid. 



CH 2 0-CO(CH 2 ) 16 -CH 

 CHO -CO(CH 2 ) 16 -CH 3 

 CH 2 0-CO(CH 2 ) 16 -CH 



STEARIN 



If an alkali be present, it will combine with 

 the fatty acid to form a soap. 



CO-OH(CH 2 ) 16 -CH 3 Na-OH 



CO'OH(CH 2 ) 16 -CH 8 + Na-OH 

 CO-OH(CH 2 ) 16 'CH 8 Na-OH 



H D E 



CO-ONa(CH 2 ) 16 -CH 3 H-OH 



CO ONa(CH 2 ) 16 CH 3 + H-OH 

 CO-ONa(CH 2 ) 16 .CH 3 H-OH 



SODIUM STEARATE WATER 



Splitting of Fats by the Pancreatic Juice. Ber- 

 nards Experiment. Place 2 c.c. neutral olive 



