This is what happen the fatty acid by itself and the
glycerol by itself are both water soluble because of the polar oxygen atoms on
the ends of these molecules. Saponification is the term applied to the
hydrolysis of fats using a strong alkali like lye. Glycerol (aka glycerine) is
simply a tri-alcohol, i.e. an alcohol with three OH groups. It has chemistry
similar to that of ethanol.
