Question

What is meant by rancidity? How can it be prevented?

Answer 1

Hint : Rancidity or rancidification can be defined as the process of oxidation, partial oxidation or hydrolysis of the fats and the fatty acids present in the food. So we need to protect our food from rancidification, especially by avoiding its contact with air.

Complete Step By Step Answer:
So as we studied above that rancidity is the phenomenon of the oxidation of the unsaturated fatty acids present in the food on exposure with air, water or say moisture.
The food destroyed by the rancidification process becomes rancid and is known as the rancid food.
The good taste and the pleasant smell of the food changes to the foul smell and unpleasant taste after the rancidification. Also the colour of the food changes markedly.
However, rancidity can be prevented and our food can be saved by the following few methods:
Keep your food in air-tight containers to avoid its contact with the air or moisture, this will slow the process of rancidity.
Use of antioxidants to prevent the oxidation of the food.
For example – In the packets of foods and chips, inert gases like nitrogen gas are filled to avoid the oxidation process.
For a short period of time rancidity can be avoided by keeping the food in the refrigerator.

Note :
Example of the rancidification is: like if we kept our butter in open for a long time, then it becomes unfit for consumption because of the rancidification process, as the unsaturated fatty acids present in it, undergoes oxidation reaction giving it an unpleasant odour and taste.