Plant Oils and Emulsions

Question 0

Give three benefits that plant oils have for cooking.

Answer 0

1) They have a higher boiling point allowing food to cook at higher temperatures and at faster speeds. 2) You get more flavour as the oils have their own flavour and other flavours are soluble in the oil allowing it to be ‘carried’ 3) Using oil to cook food increases the energy we get from eating it

Question 1

Why are vegetable oils used in food? Give three reasons.

Answer 1

1) They provide a lot of energy 2) They contain other nutrients such as vitamin E in oils from seeds 3) they contain essential fatty acids which the body needs for many metabolic processes

Question 2

What is biodiesel? What is it made from?

Answer 2

Vegetable oils (rapeseed oil and soybean oil) can be turned in to fuels. Biodiesel (one of the fuels) can be used in the same way as diesel as it is high in energy and burns in the same way and has similar properties.

Question 3

What type of molecules do oils and fats contain?

Answer 3

Long chain molecules with lots of carbon atoms

Question 4

Describe the difference between saturated and unsaturated oils.

Answer 4

Unsaturated oils contain double bonds between some of the carbon atoms in their carbon chains An unsaturated oil will make bromine water go colourless

Question 5

Give the definitions for; Monounsaturated fats Polyunsaturated fats

Answer 5

Monounsaturated fats contain ONE C=C double bond Polyunsaturated fats contain MORE THAN ONE C=C double bond

Question 6

How does an emulsifier work?

Answer 6