Applications of Hydrolysis
Hydrolysis has numerous applications in various fields. The applications of hydrolysis are mentioned below:
- Digestion: Hydrolysis is responsible for breaking down complicated food components to then receive the body. In saliva, gastric juices and secretions of the intestines enzymes break down carbohydrates proteins and fats (using hydrolytic reactions).
- Chemical Synthesis: The method of hydrolysis is commonly used in laboratory settings in synthesizing smaller molecule to a more convenient sized parts. This is a process in which these fragments are used as building blocks that can be used to synthesize these different compounds.
- Environmental Processes: Decomposition of the organics by means of hydrolysis is one of the processes found in nature. For instance, the microbial enzymes that break down the cellulose a crucial part of the cell wall of higher plants contribute to the further decomposition of plants in soil.
- Industrial Processes: Hydrolysis is a crucial in industrial areas. For example, in the biodiesel industry where the triglycerides in vegetable oils and animal fats are hydrolyzed to give fatty acids and glycerol.
Hydrolysis
Hydrolysis is a chemical reaction that lead to the breaking of a complex compound into a simple molecule on reaction with water. The word Hydrolysis is composed of “hydro” and “lysis” which means water and breaking down. Hence, the meaning of hydrolysis is the breaking of a compound with the help of water via a chemical reaction. In these reactions, water is the key reagent that cleaves the bond and thus breaks the compound. Several examples of hydrolysis are hydrolysis of glucose, hydrolysis of ester and ether etc.
In this article, we will learn in detail about hydrolysis, its formula, types, and examples. We will also learn the comparison between Hydrolysis, hydration, and dehydration.
Hydrolysis
Table of Content
- What is Hydrolysis?
- Hydrolysis Reaction
- Types of Hydrolysis
- Example of Hydrolysis
- Hydrolysis vs Dehydration
- Applications of Hydrolysis