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Date May 2012 Marks available 3 Reference code 12M.3.sl.TZ1.F2
Level SL Paper 3 Time zone TZ1
Command term State Question number F2 Adapted from N/A

Question

Rancidity limits the shelf life of foods containing oils and fats.

Rancidity can occur as a result of two separate processes. State these processes and explain the difference between them.

Markscheme

hydrolytic rancidity and oxidative rancidity;

hydrolytic rancidity involves (reaction with water) breaking ester bond / formation of a fatty acid and glycerol / OWTTE;

oxidative rancidity involves reaction of carbon-carbon double bond/C=C with oxygen / addition reaction with oxygen;

Examiners report

The majority of candidates struggled in part (a) where the difference between hydrolytic and oxidative rancidity was seldom written correctly.

Syllabus sections

Options » B: Biochemistry » B.3 Lipids
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