Question

The quantity of short chain fatty acids in the fat molecule
A) Polensky number
B) Acetyl number
C) Reichert-Meissl Number
D) Iodine number

Answer 1

Hint: The value is equal to the number of milliliters of 0.1 standard alkali solution needed for the neutralization of the purified and diluted water-insoluble volatile fatty acids from 5 grams of a specified saponified fat.

Complete answer: The number Polenske is a value calculated when the fat is analyzed. The Polenske value is an indication of how much volatile fatty acid can be obtained through saponification from the fat. So, Polensky's number is the correct answer.
1. Acetyl value is defined as the amount of potassium hydroxide solution in milliliters needed to neutralize the acetic acid extracted after acetylation by saponification of 1 gm of fat or oil. So, Acetyl number is an incorrect answer.
2. A Reichert value represented as the milliliters of 10th-normal alkali needed to neutralize the acids extracted from 5 grams of fat using a prescribed saponification and distillation process. So, the Reichert-Meissl Number is an incorrect answer.
3. Iodine numbers are used to assess how much saturation there is in fatty acids. So, Iodine number is an incorrect answer.

Additional information: Short-chain fatty acids are fatty acids containing less than six carbon atoms. SCFAs, obtained from the intestinal microbial fermentation of undigested foods, are the colonocyte's main energy source, making them essential for gastrointestinal health.

Thus, the option A is the correct option. i.e. Polenske value

Note: SCFAs are formed when the colon ferments dietary fibre. Dietary structure of macronutrients influences SCFAs in circulation. The three most common SCFAs are acetate, propionate, and butyrate