Saponation
Saponification is the chemical process of making soap. It is a hydrolysis reaction where triglycerides (fats or oils) react with a strong base, typically an alkali like sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide, to produce glycerol and fatty acid salts. These fatty acid salts are what we commonly recognize as soap. The term "saponification" comes from the Latin word "sapo," meaning soap.
In a typical saponification reaction, fats and oils, which are esters of glycerol and fatty acids, are
The resulting mixture contains soap, glycerol, and any unreacted base or saponifiable material. The soap is