Question

Contrary to popular belief, the hump of a camel is not meant for storing water but, instead, consists of large fat deposits. Coincidentally, these fat deposits are not only a source of energy but also a source of water as well. Calculate the amount of water (in liters, assume ρH2O = 1.0 g/mL) in 1.0 kg of fat. For simplicity, assume the fat deposits are entirely made up of tristearoylglycerol (total molar mass = 891.5 g/mol, made up of three stearic acids (18:0)).

Hints:

1) You will need to first determine the molar ratios of each fatty acid to key intermediates of ß-oxidation cycle and CAC to electrons to water.

2) Conceptually, start by asking yourself how many water molecules can be produced from one stearic acid molecule, then scale up to total mass of the 1.0 kg fat deposit.

3) Don’t forget to account for the initial consumption of water in order to produce more water

Answer 1

A triglyceride that is glycerol in which all three hydroxy groups have been formally esterified with stearic acid

it is a structural derivative of Octadecanoic acid and glycerol

Formula: C57H11006

Average mass: 891.47970

1kg of fat = 1000g/891=1.122 mole

Mass of water obtained = 1.12mole of fat x 69 mol of H2O x 18.0 = 1391.04g

density of water = 1g/ml

volume of water = 1.391 L

beta oxidation of Tristearoylglycerol