Which of the following represents saponification?

Saponification is the chemical reaction that results in the formation of soap. The reaction involves the hydrolysis of an ester in the presence of a strong base, usually sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide. The correct option is: - Reaction of alkanoates with sodium hydroxide During the reaction, the ester bond in the alkanoate is broken down by the sodium hydroxide to form a carboxylate ion and an alcohol. The carboxylate ion then reacts with the sodium cation to form soap. The reaction is commonly used in the production of soap.