What factors affect Rancidity?
The chemical decomposition of fats, oils and lipid or rancidity is affected by the following factors:
- Oxygen: Oxidation of lipids leads to the release of volatile aldehydes and ketones.
- Light : Exposure to light leads to photo oxidation and generation of free radicals.
- Heat: In presence of heat, fats are degraded.
- Water: Exposure to water results in hydrolytic cleavage of fats into glycerol and fatty acids.
- Microbes: microorganisms like bacteria and fungi release enzymes, lipases, that can degrade fats.