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JEE Advanced levelSingle correct optionDifficulty 3 of 3el139

A tiny amount (about 0.02 percent) of BHA protects a large mass of fat for a long time. This is possible because

  1. Aeach BHA molecule absorbs one molecule of fat and neutralises it
  2. Beach antioxidant molecule intercepts radicals that would otherwise start or propagate many oxidation chain cycles
  3. CBHA removes all dissolved oxygen from the fat stoichiometrically
  4. DBHA converts the fat into a stable salt

Answer: B

Rancidity is a radical chain autoxidation, in which one initiating radical can cause many fat molecules to oxidise. BHA terminates the chains by donating hydrogen to the radicals, so a small quantity suffices. It does not react stoichiometrically with the fat or with all the oxygen.
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