250+ TOP MCQs on Natural Products – Edible & Essential Oils and Answers

Chemical Process Technology Questions and Answers for Aptitude test on “Natural Products – Edible & Essential Oils”.

1. Which of the following is not edible oil?
a) Groundnut oil
b) Coconut oil
c) Cottonseed oil
d) Spearmint oil

Answer: d
Clarification: Groundnut oil, coconut oil, cottonseed oil are all edible oils whereas spearmint oil is an essential oil. Vegetable oil is used as synonym for edible oils.

2. Which fatty acid has high reactivity towards oxygen?
a) Stearic acid
b) Linoleic acid
c) Oleic acid
d) Linolenic acid

Answer: d
Clarification: Chemical formulas of Stearic acid, Linoleic acid, Oleic acid, Linolenic acid are C₁₇H₃₅, C₁₇H₃₃, C₁₇H₃₃, C₁₇H₂9. As linolenic acid has highest degree of saturation, it has more reactivity towards oxygen.

3. Which of the following is not an activated nickel catalyst preparation reaction?
a) Ni(OH)₂ + H₂ → Ni+H₂O
b) Ni(CO)₄ → Ni + 4CO
c) 2Al·Ni + 6NaOH → Ni + 2NaAlO₃ + 3H₂
d) NiCO₃ + H₂ → Ni+H₂O + CO₂

Answer: b
Clarification: (OH)₂ + H₂ → Ni+H₂O, 2Al·Ni+6NaOH → Ni + 2NaAlO₃ + 3H₂, NiCO₃ + H₂ → Ni + H₂O + CO₂ are reactions of producing activated nickel catalyst whereas Ni(CO)₄ → Ni + 4CO is an equilibrium reaction.

4. Which solvent is used for the purification of oils?
a) Acetone
b) Ethanol
c) Propane
d) Butyl alcohol

Answer: c
Clarification: Propane is used as solvent for purification of oils because it is miscible with oil below 80°C and immiscible with color bodies and fatty acids around its critical temperature 96°C.

5. Which catalyst is used in the hydrogenation of oils?
a) Activated platinum
b) Activated rhodium
c) Activated palladium
d) Activated nickel

Answer: d
Clarification: Activated nickel catalyst is used in hydrogenating the oils. It is produced in various ways like decomposition of nickel formate, spongy method, and reduction of hydroxide or carbonate on inert catalyst.

6. Which distillation technique is used to remove sulfur containing compounds from the synthesis gas processes?
a) Cryogenic distillation
b) Steam distillation
c) Azeotropic distillation
d) Industrial distillation

Answer: a
Clarification: Cryogenic distillation technique or reactive metal guard converter are used in removal of sulfur containing compounds from synthesis gas process as they are poisonous for the hydrogenation catalyst.

7. What type of agitators is used in batch operation of hydrogenation of oils?
a) Anchor agitators
b) Propeller agitators
c) Turbine agitators
d) Helical agitators

Answer: c
Clarification: Batch hydrogenators use coils for heating and cooling, turbine agitators to disperse the injected hydrogen. They treat 5-30 tons of oil/batch.

8. Temperature maintained in batch hydrogenators is _______
a) above 200°C
b) below 200°C
c) 120-160°C
d) 180°C

Answer: b
Clarification: Temperature is maintained below 200°C in batch hydrogenators to avoid unnecessary side reactions like pyrolysis reactions and to prevent sintering of porous catalyst.

9. Which of the following statement is wrong?
a) Coconut oil is used for cooking
b) Linseed is mostly used in manufacture of paints and varnishes
c) Oil cakes are used as animal nutrition
d) Castor seed is used as cattle feed

Answer: d
Clarification: The wrong statement is that the castor seed is used in cattle feed. Actually castor seeds are used in the manufacture of soaps and in lubricant industry.