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A2 OCR Concentration of Bile salts coursework

Hiya,
I've been set a peice of coursework on investigating the effects of the concentration of bile salts on the digestion of fats, and was wondering if anyone had any ideas about the method. I've tried searching the internet everywhere and so far have had no luck.
thanksss

Reply 1

john171

Did that ages ago.

If you do a google search you should find a method based on the use of phenothailian as an indicator. It's a load of rubbish, but put it down anyway.

For your actual method you need to use pH probes to measure the change in pH over a period of time.

Basically bile salts emulfsify the fat globules (break them down) this increases the surface area, the surfrace area which can be acted on by the enzyme lipase.

So, you want to have various concentrations of bile salts set up...measure the rate of change in pH...You should find out that the higher concentrations of bile salts produce a much faster reacion whereby the lipids are broken down at a faster rate.

If you have any questions just send me a private message.