Vegetable oils and animal fats are the traditional materials that are saponified. These greasy materials, triesters called triglycerides, are mixtures derived from diverse fatty acids. Triglycerides can be converted to soap in either a one - or a two - step process. In the traditional one - step process, the triglyceride is treated with a strong base (e.g., lye), which cleaves the ester bond, releasing fatty acid salts (soaps) and glycerol. This process is also the main industrial method for producing glycerol. In some soap - making, the glycerol is left in the soap. If necessary, soaps may be precipitated by salting it out with sodium chloride.
by product of saponification of fats and oils
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