Definition:
The ester value is the number of milligrams of potassium hydroxide (KOH) required to saponify the esters in 1 gram of fat or oil.
Significance:
Provides information on the number of esters (triglycerides) in the fat or oil, which indirectly reflects the presence of free fatty acids and glycerol.
Used in conjunction with acid value to understand the composition of the fat or oil.
Principle:
The ester value is calculated by subtracting the acid value from the saponification value.
Equation of Ester Value:
