1. What is Saponification Value?

The Saponification Value (SV) is the number of milligrams of potassium hydroxide required to saponify one gram of fat or oil under specified conditions. It's an important parameter in lipid analysis and soap making.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the saponification value formula:

Where:

• \( blank \) — Volume of titrant used for blank (mL)
• \( sample \) — Volume of titrant used for sample (mL)
• \( N \) — Normality of KOH solution (N)
• \( weight \) — Weight of sample (g)
• 56.1 — Molecular weight of KOH (g/mol)

Explanation: The difference between blank and sample titration represents the KOH consumed by the sample. This is converted to mg KOH per gram of sample.

3. Importance of SV Calculation

Details: SV indicates the average molecular weight of fatty acids in a fat or oil. Higher SV means shorter fatty acid chains. It's crucial for soap formulation and quality control.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter titration values in mL, normality of KOH solution, and sample weight in grams. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a typical SV range for common oils?
A: Coconut oil (250-260), Olive oil (184-196), Palm oil (190-205), Soybean oil (189-195).

Q2: Why is a blank titration needed?
A: The blank accounts for any KOH consumed by factors other than the sample (like atmospheric CO₂).

Q3: What does a high SV indicate?
A: High SV suggests the presence of more short-chain fatty acids or free fatty acids in the sample.

Q4: Can I use NaOH instead of KOH?
A: Yes, but the molecular weight factor changes to 40.0 (for NaOH) and the result is called "Saponification Number."

Q5: How precise should the measurements be?
A: For accurate results, measure to at least 0.01g for weight and 0.01mL for titrations.