Trimyristin Isolation from Nutmeg Discussion Part 2

A hydrolysis reaction using 6 M sodium hydroxide and concentrated hydrogen chloride was used to yield a final product of myristic acid at 75%.  In the chemical equation of hydrolysis one molecule of trimyristin should yield 3 molecules of myristic acid.  58 mg of trimyristin was consumed in the reaction.  The theoretical yield would be 55 mg of myristic acid and 41mg of product was collected.  This gave a fairly high yield of myristic acid.  Any of the losses seen in the experiment could be due to transfers or from not adding enough hydrogen chloride.  The melting point of the product was found to be 52-54 °C, which indicates the result of a pure product due to the literature melting point being 54 °C.