Q. Which gas is used in making of Vanaspati ghee from vegetable oils?
Answer: H₂
Notes: Vanaspati ghee is made by hydrogenating vegetable oils - adding hydrogen to the vegetable oils to convert the liquid unsaturated fats to solid saturated fats. This hydrogenation process helps increase the melting point and shelf life of vegetable oils, converting them into semi-solid fats similar in texture and properties to ghee. The hydrogenation is carried out by bubbling hydrogen gas through the vegetable oils in the presence of a catalyst like nickel. The hydrogen gas helps saturate the unsaturated fatty acids in the vegetable oils, converting the oils into solid or semi-solid fats that form the Vanaspati ghee.